Shocked O2 staff have described the terrifying moment the venue's roof was "ripped off" by Storm Eunice, saying there was a "huge whooshing" before everything was "completely exposed".
Huge gusts of wind ripped through the iconic venue's material roof, tearing two huge sections of it
An employee told The Mirror they had been warned the venue, which contains dozens of bars and restaurants, a shopping centre and a massive live music venue, could be closed "for a few months".
Police outside the venue, which was previously called the Millennium Dome, could be seen ushering away visitors trying to enter, while staff could also be seen leaving.
One employee said: "We were inside and the wind just ripped off the roof, it was whipped off - it sounded like a huge whooshing sound and then suddenly everything was exposed. It was in a part of the shopping centre so all the public had to be evacuated and staff are heading home."
Get the latest updates on Storm Eunice on our live blog.
One shocked resident who lives in Arora Tower said the witnessed the roof being whipped to shreds from her window. She told the Mirror: "I couldn't believe it. A huge panel was ripped off - the wind did it like it was nothing. It's a shame, we like visiting here as a family a lot.
Another employee said they'd been told the venue may have to close "for a few months" in order to repair the damage.
Simply Red, who had been due to play the venue this weekend but postponed due to Covid, described the damage as “tragic”.
Accompanied by a picture of the gaps in the roof, a tweet from the band’s account read: “Looks like the O2 shows wouldn’t have happened anyhow. Tragic. #Eunice”
Shocked onlookers in nearby high rise buildings took to social media to share videos of the damage.
An estimated 1,000 people were evacuated from arena Greenwich, London and tonight's performance of Fugees: The Score 25th Anniversary Tour at the O2 Arena has been postponed.
Twitter user Ben Hubbard said: "The Millennium Dome is being shredded to pieces by the high wind conditions.
"First one panel was ripped off, then another went too.
"How much more will this thing be destroyed?"
He later added another video showing around six panels had come off adding: "This thing isn't slowing down."
A spokesman for the o2 said: "Due to today’s adverse weather conditions, we can confirm that there has been some damage caused to the tent fabric in our roof at The O2.
"The affected areas have been cleared and The O2 will remain closed for the rest of the day.
"The safety of our visitors remains of paramount importance, and we will continue to assess the ongoing situation and act accordingly."
The Mirror has asked for comment of claims the venue could be closed for months.
The damage has come as Storm Eunice has wrecked havoc across the UK today with record breaking winds of up to 122mph.
A number of red weather warnings were issued yesterday and into this morning by the Met Office.
As the weather system swept eastwards across the UK transport was disrupted, power was cut, cars were damaged by falling trees and tragically there have so far been three confirmed deaths.
A motorcyclist was crushed under a falling tree in East Hampshire in the market town of Alton.
A woman in her 30s died in Haringey, London under similar circumstances.
A man in his 50s died in Netherton, Merseyside, after debris struck the windscreen of a vehicle he was travelling in, Merseyside Police confirmed.
Were you at the O2 this afternoon? Email rosaleen.fenton@reachplc.com
