Politics
Storm Eunice brings London to a standstill as parks and attractions SHUT and transport links threatened by 100mph winds
LONDON will be brought to a standstill by one of the country’s worst storms in more than 30 years tomorrow.
Parks and attractions will close and transport links will be threatened by howling 100mph gales during Storm Eunice.
Tom Bowles / Story Picture AgencyLondoners are battening down the hatches tonight ahead of Storm Eunice[/caption]
Yellow, amber and red warnings are in place throughout the day as the storm whips in
Significant disruption is expected during the tempest, with forecasters warning trees will be ripped out by their roots, power lines will topple and roofs could be torn from homes.
Forecasters say roads, bridges and railways line could shut, with delays and cancellations expected across bus and train services, as well as flights.
The Met Office has issued a rare red warning for wind across parts of the West Country and Wales.
An amber warning is in place for swathes of the country, with the capital set to see the worst of it at around midday.
London attractions including the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew and the London Eye and River Cruises are shut.
Parks at Hampstead Heath in North London will close, as will those in Hammersmith and Fulham and Victoria Park in Tower Hamlets.
As Britain braces for Storm Eunice…
Motorists warned to NOT travel by RAC unless absolutely necessaryAll trains in Wales cancelled for FridaySchools in majority of Welsh areas closed as pupils told to stay at homeBristol City Council was advising schools to close in the city because of the torrentA man died falling of a HGV lorry last night during Storm DudleyStorm Eunice set to be the worst storm UK has seen in yearsBrits bracing for 100mph winds and 8inches snow in the northNetwork Rail said disruption tomorrow is ‘inevitable’Met Office upgraded storm to red warning – bringing ‘danger to life’Legoland, Chessington World of Adventures, Longleat and London Eye closed on Friday because of severe weatherThirteen pedigree dogs were electrocuted to death after a falling power line crashed onto a kennel
Venues just outside the capital, including Legoland in Windsor, will also close.
Commuters have been urged to rethink their journeys amid warnings that strong winds will blow trees onto train tracks..
A Network Rail spokesman said disruption is “inevitable”. There will be blanket speed restrictions of 50mph in most places.
South Western Railway, which covers swathes of the region, said a speed restriction will be in place across its entire network for most of Friday.
London North Eastern Railway revealed it will be running a reduced service between King’s Cross and York/Leeds.
Bosses said: “Please do not travel on Friday, February 18.”
Read our weather forecast live blog for the latest updates
The UK Health Security Agency London account said Londoners should bring plant pots off balconies to avoid a tragedy.
“Be alert – listen for weather warnings and secure loose items in your garden or on balconies,” they said.
“If you must travel, take extra care as strong winds could knock down trees and pick up debris.”
London’s homeless have been offered warm and safe spaces to spend the night as shelters open.
The scheme, known as London’s severe weather emergency protocol, usually operates when temperatures drop to below freezing.
Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted: “Storm Eunice 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.”
‘DO NOT TRAVEL’
The Royal Borough of Greenwich told residents to “stay inside where possible”.
Meanwhile, the Government called a meeting of Whitehall’s emergency COBRA committee on Thursday morning.
Boris Johnson confirmed the Army is on standby following yesterday’s Storm Dudley.
Speaking from RAF Waddington today, he said: “For those who have already been affected by Storm Dudley, we are offering all the support that we can.
“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.”
Outside of London, schools in Bristol, Somerset and Wales will shut tomorrow.
Which warnings are in place when?
A yellow warning for 40-70mph winds in parts of Northern Ireland, the north of England and the Midlands is in place between 7am and 6pm
A yellow warning for two to five centimetres of snow on low ground and 10 to 30 centimetres of snow on hills for Scotland and parts of northern England is in place between 3am and 6pm
An amber warning for 60-80mph winds across much of England is in place from 3am until 9pm
A red warning of 70-90mph winds in the West Country and parts of Wales is in place from 7am until noon
All trains in Wales have been cancelled, while Southeastern, Avanti West Coast and East Midlands Railway have also urged people not to travel.
Airports including Gatwick and Stansted are advising customers to check the status of their flights before leaving home.
Meteorologists say the tempest will cause “significant disruption and dangerous conditions due to extremely strong winds”.
Red and amber warnings for wind are in place, while Scotland and the north of England have been hit with a yellow warning for snow too.
Exposed areas on the coastline will likely see the strongest gusts.
“Beach material” and large waves could endanger lives near the seaside, the Met Office said.
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Britain’s worst-ever weather disaster happened on January 25, 1990.
It left 47 people dead and caused up to £3billion worth of damage.
The tempest was more devastating than the Great Storm of 1987 because it struck during the day – as will Eunice.
PAIn London, the worst of the weather will hit at around midday[/caption]
BLITZPICTURES.COMCommuters have been urged to rethink leaving their homes[/caption]
AthenaTrain services will be severely disrupted as trees topple onto tracks[/caption]
Tom Bowles / Story Picture AgencyLondon’s mayor has thrown open shelters to the city’s rough sleepers[/caption]
