UNITED KINGDOM: Storm Ciarán pummelling the south of England and the Channel Islands, knocking out electricity to thousands of homes, forcing school closures, and causing transport mayhem.
Storm Ciarán is causing severe damage in the region, with the Environment Agency issuing 73 flood warnings, particularly near the south coast, where Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have declared a major incident. Several people in Jersey were forced to seek shelter due to the storm’s damaging property.
Since the Port of Dover was closed due to bad weather, according to P&O Ferries, tourist traffic was being diverted away from the area. Due to the storm on Thursday, hundreds of schools in the southern states closed their doors to students.
Cornwall Council reports that nearly 10,000 houses are without power due to the storm. Due to the weather system, a total of four Met Office amber and yellow weather warnings are now in effect over the United Kingdom.
An amber wind warning is in effect for portions of Kent and Sussex until 12 p.m., with gales predicted to reach 70 to 80 mph. A yellow wind warning is in effect for the south coast until 5 p.m.
A yellow rain warning is in effect for southern Wales and England from Wednesday at 6 p.m. until Thursday night.
A yellow rain warning is in effect for north-east England and Scotland, extending up to Inverness, from 6 a.m. on Thursday until 6 a.m. on Friday. Jersey Met issued the highest-level red wind warning, advising residents to stay indoors due to gusts above 100 mph.
Numerous Jersey residents were forced to evacuate their homes due to the damage caused by Storm Ciarán, and all scheduled flights departing from Jersey, Guernsey, and Alderney airports on Thursday have been called off.
The Environment Agency’s flood duty manager, Ben Lukey, stated on Thursday, that the parts of the south coast, as well as parts of Yorkshire and the northeast coast, may experience significant flooding due to large waves and onshore gales brought on by Storm Ciarán.
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum has warned of potential risks to life, building damage, falling trees, and floods on the south coast. Southern Rail has advised commuters to work from home and advised passengers not to travel on London routes before 9 a.m. on Thursday.
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