Storm Eunice: BA jet almost flips over during Heathrow landing
Storm Eunice has brought swathes of the UK to a standstill, forcing major transport closures and severe power outages, while gusts surpassing the strongest winds recorded during the deadly 1987 “Great Storm” whip the shoreline.
A man has been killed by a falling tree in County Wexford, Ireland, while another person struck by falling debris from a roof in Henley-on-Thames was hospitalised.
Boris Johnson said the army remained on standby as the emergency Cobra committee convened for a second day, after the Met Office issued weather warnings across the UK.
One of two severe “red” alerts – meaning dangerous winds pose a “risk to life” – was in force in London, effectively for the first time, while possibly strongest gust ever recorded in England hit the Isle of Wight, at 122mph.
As roofs were torn from homes, lorries overturned and large trees uprooted, more than 100,000 homes across England and south Wales remained without power – with electricity having already been restored to another 165,000 households.
Snow is causing widespread travel disruption in Scotland and northern England, forcing more schools to close.
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Three injured after crash between car and fallen tree – driver in serious condition
Three people have been admitted to hospital after a crash between a car and a fallen tree during Storm Eunice.
The driver is in a serious condition following the collision in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, Avon and Somerset Police said.
Emergency services were called to Farleigh Wick at 12.20pm and all three people in the car were rescued by the fire service.
The road is set to remain closed for several hours and motorists have been asked to avoid the area.
Laurie Churchman18 February 2022 16:44
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Storm Eunice: Two men injured and taken to hospital in London
Two people have been taken to hospital after being struck by falling objects in London.
A man was injured by debris in Waterloo at around midday.
He was treated at the scene and taken to hospital “as a priority”, the London Ambulance Service said.
Another man was taken to hospital with a head injury after being struck by a tree in Streatham, south London an hour earlier.
Laurie Churchman18 February 2022 16:29
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Storm Eunice: Tube services in chaos as Euston shuts down
Storm Eunice is causing chaos across London’s transport network, with Tube lines disrupted and Euston station completely closed.
Transport for London (TfL) “can’t say” if the London Underground will be suspended altogether amid high winds, but the only lines currently showing good service are the DLR and Waterloo and City line.
Meanwhile, Euston Station’s official Twitter account tweeted: “No trains are leaving London Euston currently. Our teams are working on many impacts caused by Storm Eunice.”
Laurie Churchman18 February 2022 16:05
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1,000 people evacuated from O2
Around 1,000 people were evacuated from the O2 Arena when its roof was damaged in Storm Eunice.
“Firefighters cordoned off the area to ensure no one was injured by any further falling debris,” said London Fire Brigade Station Commander Chris Kamara, who was at the scene.
“There has been no actual collapse or structural damage to the building, but due to the nature of the canvas material which covers The O2, it has come loose in high winds and looks quite dramatic.
“Crews have made the scene safe and The O2 is now closed until further notice.”
The Fugees had been due to play a 25th anniversary concert at the venue tonight.
Andy Gregory18 February 2022 15:56
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Power station chimney appears to collapse in high winds
One of three large chimneys at a power station on the Isle of Sheppey appears to have collapsed. Local councillor Cameron Beart tweeted:
Uniper Energy said there were no casualties and that the incident poses no risk to the community, but that the power station has been taken offline as a precaution.
Andy Gregory18 February 2022 15:50
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Trees fall onto cars in London
Trees fall onto cars as strong winds from Storm Eunice batter London
Andy Gregory18 February 2022 15:44
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Which weather warnings remain in force and what do they mean?
While the two most severe “red” weather alerts – in southeast England and southwest Britain – are no longer in force, a “high impact” amber warning remains in force across Wales and most of England.
This means there is a good chance that flying debris could result in a danger to life, while damage to buildings and homes is likely – with roofs blown off and power lines brought down.
A mixture of lesser yellow warnings for wind, snow and ice remain in force across the rest of the UK – bringing the potential for power cuts, isolation for rural communities and hazardous travel conditions and delays.
Here is a satellite view of Storm Eunice’s progress across the UK.
Andy Gregory18 February 2022 15:41
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London Fire Brigade declares major incident over Eunice-related emergency calls
The London Fire Brigade has declared a major incident in response to the volume of 999 calls being taken about Storm Eunice-related incidents.
Control staff will be prioritising incidents where there is a risk to life are prioritised, with fire crews then attending other calls as non-emergencies when they are able.
The brigade fielded 550 emergency calls between 10:30am and 1pm – more than the number typically seen in 24 hours, the fire service said.
Operators have taken a number of unhelpful calls, including to a tent which had blown into a neighbour’s garden and to a trampoline which was blowing around in the garden next door, the service said, adding that some of the more serious incidents attended today in the capital included:
- A van overturned on the M11
- Scaffolding in a precarious position in Islington
- A balcony collapse in central London
- A large container on top of a high-rise building in a precarious position on the Isle of Dogs
- Canvas roofing loose at the O2 in Greenwich
Andy Gregory18 February 2022 15:31
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Environment Agency urges ‘extreme caution’ amid flooding risks
The Environment Agency has urged people to take “extreme caution” head of “potentially severe” coastal flooding in southwest England.
“The public should continue to take extreme caution as ongoing impacts of Storm Eunice have resulted in a storm surge and large waves which could bring potentially severe coastal flooding to parts of the west and south coasts of England today, as well as the tidal rivers Severn and Wye in Gloucestershire,” said Stefan Laeger, the Environment Agency’s flood duty manager.
“Further spells of heavy rain are expected this weekend which will also bring the potential for inland flooding. Over 18,000 properties have been protected by defences in affected areas so far but we urge caution as flood risk continues.
“Please remember to take extreme care on coastal paths and promenades. We urge people to stay safe on the coast and warn wave watchers against the unnecessary danger of taking storm selfies.”
Andy Gregory18 February 2022 15:26
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Giant tree narrowly misses Cornwall shops as it falls during strong winds
Footage captures Storm Eunice toppling large tree in Cornwall
Tom Batchelor18 February 2022 14:59
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/uk-weather-storm-tracker-eunice-b2018004.html
