The Met Office took the unusual step on Thursday of issuing a rare red weather warning as southern England braces to be battered by Storm Eunice.
The UK’s official weather service issued the alert – meaning there is a danger to life from flying debris – for parts of south west England and south Wales from Friday morning as rail passengers in London have been warned not to travel.
The alert came as the Government had called a meeting of Whitehall’s emergency committee COBRA on Thursday morning to discuss the response to Storm Dudley and Storm Eunice, which could bring winds of up to 90mph.
Boris Johnson confirmed the army is on standby amid the storm.
Speaking from RAF Waddington, he said: “So for those who have already been affected by Storm Dudley, we are offering all the support that we can.
⚠️ Yellow weather warning issued ⚠️
— Met Office (@metoffice) February 17, 2022
Wind across parts of south Wales and southern England
Saturday 0600 – 1800
Following #StormEunice, further strong #winds may hamper recovery efforts
Latest info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs
Stay #WeatherAware⚠️ pic.twitter.com/SXmKtvI2ax
“My sympathies to those who are still without power – we are working with the power companies, the local authorities to get their juice restored as fast as possible. But of course, the army is on standby.”
A lorry driver was killed on Wednesday night after he was blown off an HGV while unloading goods in Marston Green, Solihull, during Storm Dudley.
The London Eye and River Cruise’s Twitter account said: “Due to severe weather disruption the London Eye and River Cruise has taken the difficult decision to close Friday.
“The safety of our guests is our number one priority and we apologise for any inconvenience caused. Please follow us here for updates.”
In an email to customers, bosses at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew said: “Due to severe weather, Kew Gardens and Wakehurst will be closed tomorrow, Friday February 18 2022.
“This isn’t a decision we’ve taken lightly. We always put the safety of our staff and visitors first, and that is why we’ve decided to close the gardens. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes.
“The situation will be closely monitored and the gardens will re-open to visitors as soon as it is safe to do so. Please check our website for the latest updates.”
The scheme, known as London’s severe weather emergency protocol, usually operates when temperatures drop to below freezing.
Mr Khan tweeted: “#StormEunice is expected to bring extremely strong winds across London tonight. We’re opening emergency shelters for anyone sleeping rough to have a warm and safe place to stay.
“Help connect people sleeping rough with the local services that can support them.”
The UK Health Security Agency for the London region warned Storm Eunice could knock down trees and urged Londoners to bring in their loose garden or balcony items.
It tweeted: “#StormEunice is expected to bring very strong winds on Friday.
“Be alert – listen for weather warnings and secure loose items in your garden or on balconies.
“If you must travel, take extra care as strong winds could knock down trees and pick up debris.”
London North Eastern Railway issued an advisory on Wednesday evening as the Met Office upgraded its warning about high winds across the region from yellow to amber, with the capital forecast to be hit by gusts up to 70mph around lunchtime on Friday.
Eunice is expected to hit the South West and Wales even harder, with predictions that gusts could top 90mph.
The red warning covers the coastline of Devon, Cornwall and Somerset as well as the south coast of Wales and will be in effect from 7am until 12pm on Friday.
#StormEunice is expected to bring very strong winds on Friday.
— UKHSA London region (@UKHSA_London) February 17, 2022
Be alert – listen for weather warnings and secure loose items in your garden or on balconies.
If you must travel, take extra care as strong winds could knock down trees and pick up debris.#WeatherReady pic.twitter.com/RDV5tFlmbx
Bristol City Council has advised schools to close due to adverse weather.
A separate amber warning has also been issued for the north as Storm Dudley hit on Wednesday, with the Met Office saying power cuts and transport disruption were expected.
Storm Eunice could be even more damaging, with stronger winds than Dudley, heavy snow and possible blizzard conditions.
In a statement on its website, London North Eastern Railway revealed it will be running a reduced service between King’s Cross and York/Leeds as it warned of “severe weather conditions” across the UK on Friday.
“Please do not travel on Friday 18 February,” it said.
“Our trains will be most impacted by the severe weather in the southern parts of our route (south of York/Leeds) and as a result we will be running a reduced service between London King’s Cross and York/Leeds. We expect these trains to be extremely busy and subject to short notice cancellations and alterations.”
Southern and Thameslink services will also be disrupted. Thameslink trains from Brighton, Gatwick Airport and Redhill will not run beyond London Blackfriars.
A spokesperson for Thameslink said: "Please do not travel on Friday 18th February. On Friday, very strong winds are forecast. These are expected to cause damage and obstructions on the railway.
"There will be extensive changes to train services on Friday. Where trains are able to run, it is very likely some trains will be delayed or cancelled at short notice. A speed restriction of 50mph will also be in place.”
Southeastern, Avanti West Coast and East Midlands Railway have also urged people not to travel, with trains being cancelled, delayed and disrupted - Southeastern services from Kent into London Cannon Street have now been cancelled.
Southeastern said any train in service, will run under 50mph speed restrictions across most routes.
Trains between Hastings and London Charing Cross will not run between London Bridge and London Charing Cross.
Peak hour trains between Hastings / Ashford International / Tonbridge and London Cannon Street will not run either in the morning or evening
There will be a reduced service from the Hayes, Woolwich, Sidcup, Bexleyheath and Grove Park Lines to Charing Cross
A Network Rail spokesman said disruption is “inevitable”.
Some airports including Gatwick and Stansted are advising customers to check the status of their flights with airlines, as well as allowing plenty of time to travel.
North Cornwall, north Devon and Sharpness in Gloucestershire are feared to be the worst-hit areas due to the tidal impact from the surge and very high spring tides.
Fluvial flooding, which is when the water level in a river, lake or stream rises and overflows, is likely over the weekend in areas including the Pennines, North Yorkshire, Lancashire and the upper reaches of the River Severn due to a combination of after-effects of Storm Dudley and snow melting.
Longleat safari park in Wiltshire said on its website that "due to the expected high winds forecast" for Friday "regrettably we have taken the difficult decision to close the park to all guests".
Anyone booked for Friday would automatically receive a full refund within two weeks, and with wind conditions set to improve from Saturday the park was expected to open as normal, though there would be updates provided on the website.
Chessington World of Adventures in south-west London will also close on Friday.
It said on its website: "Due to the weather warning issued by the Met Office for high winds, we have made the difficult decision to close Chessington World of Adventures Resort tomorrow, Friday February 18, as a precautionary measure to protect the health and wellbeing of our staff, guests, and animals in our care.
"If you have a ticket for tomorrow you will be sent communication direct to your email with your options, you will be able to rebook for another day in the year. If you have a hotel stay booked with us, you will receive an email today with your options.
"Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to welcoming you back soon."
It is understood that incident rooms are open and pumps and other equipment are on standby at strategic depots should the flooding become severe.
The Environment Agency has issued 11 flood warnings, meaning that flooding is expected, along the River Severn near Gloucestershire, South Wales and Somerset, and 57 flood alerts, meaning that flooding is likely, across England.
It is expected that these numbers will rise over the coming hours.
Prince Charles cancelled his engagements on Friday in light of the red weather warning.
Clarence House said the day would be rescheduled.
A spokesman for the prince said: “Following official guidance, the Prince of Wales’s visit to Newport and Swansea on Friday February 18 will not go ahead due to the dangers posed by Storm Eunice.
“In the interests of public safety, these engagements will be postponed with a view to rescheduling at a future date.”
