CLOSE CALL
‘Danger to life’ flood warnings issued & woman pulled to safety as Storm Eunice brings heavy rain and killer 100mph gale
A YOUNG woman almost died on a Cornish beach last night as 'danger to life' flood warnings were issued ahead of the UK's worst storm in 30 years.
The youngster was standing on a wall in Newquay when she was dragged into the water - as captured in a series of horrifying photos.
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Onlookers were able to drag her back to land before she drowned.
Forecasters have warned that huge waves will lash coastal areas and swamp nearby homes while rivers will break their banks during Storm Eunice.
A rare red weather warning - the highest alert - has been issued for the West Country and parts of Wales as 100mph gales blast today.
The worst-hit areas will also see high tides and a storm surge.
Those living near water are warned that significant flooding may take place as spring tides are expected this morning.
Ten 'severe' flood warnings - meaning action must be taken - have been issued.
Four concern the Severn Estuary, which flows into the Bristol Channel between England and Wales.
Three more are for the River Severn, Britain's longest river.
As Britain braces for Storm Eunice...
- Motorists warned to NOT travel by RAC unless absolutely necessary
- All trains in Wales cancelled for Friday
- Schools in majority of Welsh areas closed as pupils told to stay at home
- Bristol City Council was advising schools to close in the city because of the torrent
- A man died falling of a HGV lorry last night during Storm Dudley
- Storm Eunice set to be the worst storm UK has seen in years
- Brits bracing for 100mph winds and 8inches snow in the north
- Network Rail said disruption 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 weather
- Thirteen pedigree dogs were electrocuted to death after a falling power line crashed onto a kennel
Stretches at Hempsted, Minsterworth and Stonebench, and Sandhurst and Maisemore, all of which are in Gloucestershire, are affected.
The Wye Estuary at Brockweir and Elmdale, both in Gloucestershire, and Chepstow in Monmouthshire are also under severe warnings.
A further 26 flood warnings are in place in the New Forest, Dorset, the Isle of Wight, the Lake District, Merseyside, Cornwall and Devon.
And 91 milder flood warnings have also been issued.
Fluvial flooding, which is when the water level in a river, lake or stream rises and overflows, is likely over the weekend.
Areas including the Pennines, North Yorkshire, Lancashire and the upper reaches of the River Severn will be warned to brace.
🔵 Read our weather forecast live blog for the latest updates
The problem has been compounded by melting snow in some areas, as well as yesterday's Storm Dudley.
It is understood that incident rooms are open and pumps and other equipment are on standby.
Super-strong winds will race across the country for much of the day today.
Meteorologists say areas of Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, as well as the south coast of Wales, will see "flying debris resulting in danger to life".
They warn trees will be pulled from their roots, power lines will fall and roofs will be torn from houses from this morning.
Major incidents have already been declared in Avon and Somerset and Cornwall.
STORM SURGE
Schools in Bristol, Somerset and Wales will shut over concerns students and teachers could be put in danger travelling to class.
Roads, bridges and railways lines across the nation could shut, with delays and cancellations expected across bus and train services, as well as flights.
National Highways said that it was closing the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing in Kent and the Orwell Bridge near Ipswich, Suffolk, from early this morning.
High-sided and other “vulnerable” vehicles such as caravans and motorbikes are at a “particularly high risk” of being blown over, travel chiefs say.
The RAC cautioned against taking them on certain sections of roads including the Humber Bridge, junctions four to five on the M5 and junctions 36 to 45 on the M6.
'WORK FROM HOME'
Rod Dennis of the motoring group said: “Drivers who make unnecessary journeys risk putting themselves and their passengers in danger, as well as the lives of anyone who may need to help them should something unwanted happen.
“People who can work from home on Friday should definitely do so.”
Ferry operators are preparing to cancel services if conditions become unsafe. At least two sailings – one to Ireland and the other to Spain – were cancelled yesterday.
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.
DANGER TO LIFE
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.”
All trains in Wales have been cancelled, while Southeastern, Avanti West Coast and East Midlands Railway have also urged people not to travel.
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Airports including Gatwick and Stansted are advising customers to check the status of their flights before leaving home.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Although central and southern areas will feel the biggest hit, people in the far north of England, as well as residents of Scotland, have been warned to brace for snow.
A yellow warning is in place.
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