Storm Eunice has arrived in Bristol and the rare 'red' weather warning from the Met Office is now in full force. A major incident has also been declared in our region.
The exceptionally rare warning for wind in the area was issued yesterday morning and indicated that there is a danger to life if people are caught out in the storm. Wind gusts are expected to reach highs of around 64mph this morning and a tidal surge across coastal parts of the region could result in flooding.
The warning is in place from 7am today (Friday, February 18) until midday as it stands, and covers the western fringe of Bristol including Avonmouth - an amber warning for wind is in place for the rest of the city. Bristol Port is also on 'red warning' alert and has put measures in place to protect safety of staff and visitors.
Read more: Bristol weather LIVE: Storm Eunice declared 'major incident' and schools closed
First Bus and National Express services in and around Bristol have been cancelled for this morning, with the former advising that this is likely to continue until at least 1pm this afternoon. People are being asked not to travel, particularly in caravans and motorbikes in the worst-hit areas, and the Prince of Wales and Severn Bridges are also expected to be closed today.
A number of schools in the city have announced they will not open today upon the advice of Bristol City Council. Both the University of Bristol and University of the West of England have closed their campuses for the day, with teaching set to be carried out online.
An amber weather warning for wind covering Wales and large parts of England including the South West is also in place from 5am today until 9pm. The Met Office warns that Storm Eunice “may cause significant disruption due to extremely strong winds” and that “there is a good chance that flying debris could result in a danger to life”.
On Tuesday night, a glass facade fell from the side of a hotel in the city centre due to the wind from Storm Dudley, with a cordon remaining in place for much of yesterday.
The Met Office has provided a list of things to expect as the wind picks up today, including:
- Flying debris resulting in danger to life
- Damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down
- Uprooted trees are likely
- Roads, bridges and railway lines closed, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights
- Power cuts affecting other services, such as mobile phone coverage
- Large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and homes, including flooding of some coastal properties
People are being urged to stay indoors where they can and take necessary flood and severe weather precautions.
Read more: Storm Eunice hour-by-hour Bristol forecast as countdown to landfall begins
Also read: UK weather: Charts show blizzards and 90mph gales as Storm Dudley and Storm Eunice hammer Britain
Get the best stories about the things you love most curated by us and delivered to your inbox every day. Choose what you love here.
