Met Office issues amber weather warning as forecasters say 80mph gales mean lives could be at risk

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Thousands of homes have been left without power as Storm Eleanor hit Britain with winds of up to 80mph.

Forecasters warned lives could be at risk from flying debris as the fifth-named storm of the season arrived on Tuesday evening. An amber weather warning was issued for southern parts of Northern Ireland and northern England as well as southern fringes of Scotland overnight. Around 22,000 houses in Northern Ireland and scores more in England were affected by power cuts.

Northern Ireland Electricity Networks said it restored supply to 10,000 properties but another 12,000 would be without power overnight. A spokesman said: “It’s very difficult to make repairs because we have to think about the safety of our employees, most repairs will start at first light.”

Met Office (@metoffice) Here are some of the latest gusts from #StormEleanor - stay #weatheraware pic.twitter.com/jCKJdnClAn

A number of roads have been closed due to fallen trees and motorists were warned to avoid all but essential travel.In England nearly 2,000 homes were hit by power cuts in the Midlands, as well as around 700 in the south-west and 460 in Wales.

The Environment Agency issued 65 flood warnings and dozens of alerts across the country.

There were reports of flash flooding in Galway city in the Republic of Ireland as rising water breached defences. Officials said approximately 55,000 customers were without power in counties Mayo, Leitrim, Sligo, Galway, Cavan and Monaghan.





The UK Met Office said flying debris could lead to injuries or danger to life and warned that buildings could be damaged and power lines could be cut by the storm.

MICHAEL SCOTT ▲ (@mick_scott) Water has cheated flood defences at the Spanish Arch...it's coming up through the ground. #StormEleanor #Galway #Gaillimh pic.twitter.com/MzMnH5h2WJ

It said: “Along west-facing coasts, injuries and danger to life is likely from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, seafronts and properties.”

Experts also warned that road, rail and air travel, including ferries could be disrupted.

Highways England said the M48 Severn Crossing and the Orwell Bridge in Suffolk were closed and the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge between Kent and Essex was due to shut at 11pm.



There was restricted access to the Forth Road Bridge, where winds of 32mph were recorded at 10.45pm.

The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for the north-east and the west of England, southern England Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland from 6pm on Tuesday to 8am on Wednesday. Other areas of the west and south were also expected to experience very windy conditions.



Coastal roads and properties along Britain’s western and southern coasts were vulnerable to high waves throwing beach material on to seafronts. They predicted 60-70mph gusts, with winds of up to 80mph in some western coastal areas.

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Emma Sharples, a Met Office forecaster, said: “There is likely to be some disruption possibly to public transport, bridges and other public services such as mobile phones, and people need to be aware that there could be debris as well.

“The strong winds coincide with high tides in some western areas which could lead to large waves, which could have some impact as well.”

The Met Office’s chief forecaster, Paul Gundersen, said: “The unsettled theme continues throughout this week.” He said rain would move across the UK from the west with some snow over the high ground in Scotland.

Gundersen said the winds would pick up again on Wednesday as Storm Eleanor made its way across the country.

The Environment Agency warned that strong winds and high tides could bring coastal flooding until Thursday. Its deputy chief forecaster, Dan Harris, added that there could be a return to colder conditions next weekend, with a risk of frost, ice and wintry conditions, particularly in the north.

He said: “It could remain more unsettled in the south. The details of the forecast later this week and into the weekend are extremely uncertain at this stage, so my advice is to keep up to date with the latest forecasts as confidence will increase later in the week.”

Carol Holt, the Environment Agency’s flood duty manager, said: “We urge people to stay safe on the coast – take extreme care on coastal paths and promenades, and don’t put yourself in unnecessary danger trying to take storm selfies.

“If you’re travelling, please check your route before setting off and don’t drive through floodwater.”

Vince Crane of the AA advised drivers to take extra care in the worsening conditions.



“Torrential rain and gale-force winds are a recipe for driving disaster,” he said. “Road conditions can quickly deteriorate during very heavy rainfall, with drains becoming swamped or blocked and standing water causing surface spray, reduced visibility and potentially leading to flooding.

“Drivers will need to take extra care and expect delays, even on motorways.

“Strong or sudden gusts of wind are more likely on open stretches of road, when passing bridges or gaps in hedges, or when overtaking high-sided vehicles.

“Wind can also bring down trees, blow you off course or push other vehicles into your path.”