People are warned to be prepared and stay at home as Storm Eunice begins to batter the country.
The Met Office has updated its weather warning for wind to red for the South West and South East of the country – meaning danger to life – and amber for Wales and the Midlands, up to Manchester.
In Cumbria, four weather warnings have been issued.
The first warns of strong winds until 6pm today for the whole of Cumbria.
The Met Office has also issued two new weather warnings for rain and wind.
The yellow wind warning – which will come into force at noon on Sunday and will expire at noon on Monday – will cover the vast majority of Cumbria, with only parts of north and east Cumbria missing out.
Very strong winds are expected.
A yellow weather warning has also been issued for rain, which will cover the whole of Cumbria and will come into force at midnight on Sunday.
The warning – which is due to expire at 6pm on Sunday – warns of disruption caused by heavy rain.
The Met Office has also issued a weather warning for ice in Cumbria.
The yellow warning – the lowest of three levels of severity issued by the forecaster – will cover the whole of Cumbria and will come into force at 6pm today and will expire at 9am tomorrow.
A mixture of wintry showers and clear spells are likely to lead to a cold night with some icy stretches developing on untreated surfaces.
Cars have been damaged and a cordon is in place due to a large marquee blowing into a car park.
Police were called to Hindpool Retail Park, between the rugby ground and Burger King, at 2.41pm today (February 18).
Cars have been damaged due to the incident but there are no reported injuries.
Trains/coaches
Network Rail is reporting problems between Sellafield and Bootle.
⚠️Services between Sellafield and Bootle are currently experiencing problems due to the storm💨💨💨
— Network Rail Lancashire & Cumbria (@NetworkRailLC) February 18, 2022
⚠️Please only travel if you absolutely have to⚠️
Check your journeys in advance @nationalrailenq
Avanti, which runs the West Coast Main Line, said “due to multiple weather-related incidents around the network, all Avanti West Coast services are now cancelled for the rest of Friday”.
⚠️Due to multiple weather-related incidents around the network, all Avanti West Coast services are now cancelled for the rest of Friday 18 February. Please do not come to the station. Tickets for Friday 18 February will be valid for Saturday 19, Sunday 20, Monday 21 February.
— Avanti West Coast (@AvantiWestCoast) February 18, 2022
Train firm Northern has told passengers not to travel between 9am and 9pm today as the storm is predicted to cause significant disruption across the network.
It said: “Please check your trains as close to the time of your departure as possible and we urge you to consider whether your journey is necessary.”
Northern tickets dated for today will be valid on Northern services tomorrow.
Northern is operating several amended and reduced timetables across its network.
Services are being also affected by COVID and its impact on the availability of train crew, with some timetables being reduced and some services cancelled at short notice.
This will mainly affect services operating from Monday to Saturday. Temporary timetables for upcoming dates can be found on the Northern website. Alongside planned cancellations, there may be on the day alterations, therefore it is recommended that you check your journey before you travel.
TransPennine Express is also strongly urging customers to travel tomorrow instead of today. Tickets for today will be valid on services tomorrow, or a full refund can be obtained at: tpexpress.co.uk/help/refunds, with no admin fee.
More information and the latest updates on the situation can be found on the TPE website: www.tpexpress.co.uk/travel-updates or at www.nationalrail.co.uk
Paul Watson, operations director for TransPennine Express, said: “Storm Eunice will be the second storm to impact our services this week and it is likely to cause major disruption to train services, right across the North of England and into Scotland.”
Emergency speed restrictions will be in place across all routes and TransPennine Express will be operating a minimal service.
Why might trains be affected by high winds?
High winds present the risk of debris being blown onto the tracks. Debris, such as trees, can block lines until they can be safely removed and in some cases debris can cause damage to overhead wires and lineside equipment.
Stagecoach – due to the A590 closure, service 6 and X6 between Dalton and Barrow is experiencing extreme delays.
Due to a fallen tree, the A6 is closed at Bolton-le-Sands. 555 services in both directions will be diverting between Carnforth and Beaumont Bridge via the M6 and Bay Gateway.
Roads
The road between Holmrook and Santon Bridge has been closed due to a fallen power line.
Electricity North West has been informed.
The road will remain closed until the power line is made safe.
The A66 between Penrith and Scotch Corner has now reopened to cars and regular vehicles, but high sided vehicles are still prohibited due to forecasted high winds.
[UPDATE AT 0935]
— Cumbria Police (@Cumbriapolice) February 18, 2022
The A66 between Penrith & Scotch Corner has now been re-opened to cars and regular vehicles. High sided vehicles are still prohibited due to forecasted high winds. Please allow extra time for your journey and drive to the conditions of the road.
Cumbria Constabulary dealt with three minor crashes earlier today, two on the M6 and one on the A590 near to the M6.
Officers dealt with the following crashes:
- A590 near the M6 was a single vehicle collision
- M6 between 37 and 36 southbound was a single vehicle collision
- M6 between 37 and 36 southbound was a two vehicle collision
There were no reported injuries and the road has now been cleared.
Meanwhile, the A590 has been closed due to an overturned lorry.
Police are dealing with a collision between Lindal and Swarthmoor.
Drivers are asked to seek alternative routes.
Police in South Lakeland are reporting standing water on the A5087 Coast Road between Ulverston and Rampside.
Officers are advising drivers to be cautious.
Heavy snow is being reported on the A66 through Stainmore this morning.
Cumbria police say they are dealing with crashes on the M6 and the A590. No injuries have been reported.
However, there is some congestion whilst the vehicles involved await recovery. The force asked people to continue to drive with care.
Flooding
The Environment Agency is urging coastal communities to prepare for expected coastal flooding and strong winds from Storm Eunice.
A spokeswoman said: “The public need to take extreme care over the next 24 hours – Storm Eunice is a danger.
“We urge people to stay safe on the coast and warn wave watchers against the unnecessary danger of taking ‘storm selfies’.
“Flooding of low-lying coastal roads is also possible and people should avoid driving through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.”
There are four flood warnings in force – meaning flooding is expected – for the Cumbrian coastline at the Duddon Estuary, at Haverigg to Duddon Bridge, Foxfield, Dunnerhlme, the Cumbrian coastline from Silloth to St Bees including Maryport, Flimby, Workington and Whitehaven and the Cumbrian coastline at Barrow in Furness, around Biggar, Rampside and Vickerstown.
Flood warning for Cumbrian coastline from Silloth to St Bees including Maryport, Flimby, Workington and Whitehaven – “Today, February 18, lunchtime’s tide at 12.30pm is higher than normal due to Storm Eunice bringing storm force winds, large waves, and spray overtopping on the coast. Large waves and spray overtopping are forecast to cause flooding and damage along the coast at Maryport, Flimby, Workington and Whitehaven.
“Impacts are possible two hours either side of the high tide forecast, at 12.30pm. We do not expect to see similar impacts for tonight’s high tide, but further unsettled weather is forecast as a result we may issue further alerts and warnings over the next 2 to 3 days. Our incident response staff are closing flood gates and checking defences. Stay away from beaches, promenades, coastal footpaths and roads as large waves and sea spray could be dangerous.”
Cumbrian coastline from St Bees Head to Millom, along the coast from North Head to Haverigg – “Today, February 18, lunchtime’s tide at 12.30pm is higher than normal due to Storm Eunice bringing storm force winds, large waves, and spray overtopping on the coast. Large waves and spray overtopping are forecast to cause flooding and damage along the coast at Seascale, Ravenglass, Saltcoats, Haverigg.
“Vulnerable properties along the foreshore at Braystones, Nethertown and Coulderton are susceptible to these conditions. Impacts are possible two hours either side of the high tide forecast, at 12:30pm. We do not expect to see similar impacts for tonight’s high tide, but further unsettled weather is forecast, as a result, we may issue further alerts and warnings over the next two to three days. Our incident response staff are closing flood gates and checking defences. Stay away from beaches, promenades, coastal footpaths and roads as large waves and sea spray could be dangerous.”
Cumbrian coastline at Duddon Estuary, at Haverigg to Duddon Bridge, Foxfield, Dunnerholme – “This flood warning has been issued due to the high tide forecast at 12.30pm on Friday (February 18). Flooding is possible two hours either side of this time. Storm Eunice is forecast to bring strong winds, large waves and spray overtopping on the coast.
“Waves are forecast to overtop coastal defences at Duddon Estuary including Haverigg, Millom Marsh, Foxfield, Sandside and Dunnerholme. The forecast is for strong winds throughout the day. This may cause large waves and spray overtopping on the coast. We do not expect to see similar impacts for tonight’s high tide but forecasts indicate further warnings may be issued over the next few days, particularly on Sunday lunchtime. Please be careful along beaches, promenades, coastal footpaths and roads as large waves and sea spray could be dangerous.”
Cumbrian coastline at Barrow-in-Furness, around Biggar, Rampside and Vickerstown – “A flood warning is in force for the high tide forecast at 12.30pm on Friday (February 18). Flooding is possible two hours either side of this time. Storm Eunice is forecast to bring strong winds, large waves and spray overtopping on the coast.
“Waves are forecast to overtop coastal defences at West Shore Park, Biggar, Biggar Bank, Ocean Road, Carr Lane, Vickerstown Promenade and Rampside areas. The forecast is for strong winds throughout the day. This may cause large waves and spray overtopping on the coast. We do not expect to see similar impacts for tonight’s high tide but forecasts indicate further warnings may be issued over the next few days, particularly on Sunday lunchtime. Please be careful along beaches, promenades, coastal footpaths and roads as large waves and sea spray could be dangerous.”
Eight flood alerts are in place – meaning flooding is possible at:
- Coast at Barrow-in-Furness
- Coast from Silloth to St Bees
- Coast from Gretna to Silloth
- Upper River Derwent, Stonethwaite Beck and Derwentwater
- Coast from St Bees Head to Millom
- Rivers Brathay, Rothay and Winster
- Coast at North Morecambe Bay
- Coast at Duddon Estuary
Power
Electricity North West is urging people to try to keep any devices charged up and have batteries available for flashlights to prepare for any possible power cuts.
— ElectricityNorthWest (@ElectricityNW) February 18, 2022
Electricity North West is reporting that 649 properties are without power across Cumbria.
Power cuts are being reported in the following locations:
- Coniston – 590 properties
- Grange-over-Sands – 289 properties
- Seascale – 47 properties
- Windermere – 17 properties
- Lindal – 199 properties
- Millom – 38 properties
