Title: Storm Ciarán Batters South-West England, Prompting Evacuations and Widespread Disruption
United Kingdom, Nov 2: Storm Ciarán has unleashed its fury across the United Kingdom, with the southwestern region of England bearing the brunt of its powerful winds, which reached speeds of almost 80mph. The storm’s relentless onslaught has brought about extensive disruption, leading to numerous school closures, road blockages, and travel disruptions, with “danger to life” amber wind warnings in place for southern England.
By early Thursday morning, the Environment Agency had issued 65 flood warnings for England and 156 flood alerts, signifying the severity of the situation. Particularly in the far southwest of Wales, Natural Resources Wales warned that river levels could reach record highs. Approximately 10,000 homes in the southwest of England were left without power, adding to the challenges faced by residents in the affected regions.
The Channel Islands, which include Jersey and Guernsey, encountered the full force of the storm on Wednesday night and into the early hours of Thursday. Jersey police reported winds reaching a staggering 102mph (164km/h), leading to evacuations and significant structural damage to buildings. The severity of the situation prompted the issuance of a red wind warning, the highest level, by the Jersey Met Section. All flights from airports in the Channel Islands and ferry services to and from the islands were suspended.
Storm Ciarán also impacted the mainland UK, with wind speeds exceeding 70mph recorded on the Isles of Scilly and parts of Devon. Locations such as Berry Head in South Devon, Shoreham in West Sussex, and Langdon Bay in Kent experienced winds surpassing 60mph. The storm’s center was projected to track across southern England, the southeast, and East Anglia before heading into the North Sea on Thursday afternoon.
The destructive impact of the storm extended to Cornwall, where power cuts affected towns and villages, prompting the local council to advise residents not to travel unless absolutely necessary. In Devon, an empty car was swept into the sea in Sidmouth, while more than 250 schools were forced to close.
Hampshire declared a major incident, resulting in school closures in Southampton. The situation became critical in South-West Wales, as Kiln caravan site in Tenby was evacuated due to a severe flood warning on the River Ritec. Authorities called for residents to take precautions, as water levels threatened to reach record highs.
The storm’s ferocity led to travel disruptions in southern England, with some rail companies advising commuters to work from home due to debris on rail lines. Passengers traveling between Scotland and England were also affected, with delays and cancellations reported.
The UK Met Office issued amber warnings for wind, which are effective during specific time windows and highlight potential travel disruptions, damage to structures, and threats to life from flying debris. Yellow rain warnings were issued for various regions, underscoring the risk of flooding and highlighting the likelihood of “significant flooding.”
Storm Ciarán’s impact has been felt beyond the UK, with northern France facing severe disruptions. The storm left one person dead and more than 1.2 million households without electricity, primarily in parts of Brittany and Normandy. Wind speeds exceeding 100mph were recorded in some areas.
Scientists have pointed to climate change as a contributing factor to the severity of autumn and winter storms like Ciarán, particularly due to the increased rainfall and higher sea levels associated with these storms. However, the link between strong winds and climate change remains less clear, with ongoing research and debate on the topic.
Be the first to comment