Storm Eunice struck London on Friday with 80mph winds closing schools, roads, train lines and the capital’s attractions.
The storm - feared to be the worst in 30 years - led to a red warning in London from 10am to 3pm with people told to expect falling trees, flying debris, severe flooding, roofs blown off and downed power lines.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the army is on standby amid fears of blocked roads and rail routes, flight cancellations and the threat of 40ft waves on our shores.
On Saturday, weather warnings dropped from red to yellow.
However, the Met Office has warned that further strong winds are expected in some southern areas of the UK, which could hamper recovery efforts and cause further travel disruption.
Trains
National Rail has warned commuters to expect severe delays to its services on Saturday.
Many train services were cancelled on Saturday morning and do not travel notices have been reissued for a number of services, according to National Rail Enquiries.
A do not travel notice was reissued for the Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern networks for Saturday morning where some routes are expected not to reopen until the afternoon.
South Western Railway expects significant disruption across their network in the morning, while Great Western Railway and Greater Anglia services are suspended until approximately 10am.
Passengers are still being asked to avoid travelling where possible.
Meanwhile, CrossCountry trains is working on a severely reduced timetable and has warned people against travelling.
⚠️ Saturday 19 February - A severely amended and reduced timetable operates. Do not travel today. ⚠️
— CrossCountry trains (@CrossCountryUK) February 19, 2022
Whilst a strike has been called off, we have not been able to reinstate our timetable. An amended timetable runs today.
Tickets will be accepted on Sun 20 Feb & Mon 21 Feb. pic.twitter.com/XhRp4JPAAK
On the London Underground, the Waterloo & City line service is closed with partial suspensions and closures on the Bakerloo, Northern and Metropolitan lines in addition to the London Overground.
Minor delays have been reported on the Circle and Hammersmith lines.
Airports
London City Airport says it expects to operate a heavily disrupted schedule on Saturday.
However, the airport is set to operate normally - though it has warned passengers to allow extra time for their journeys.
Eleven flights are still scheduled to depart from the airport with some facing delays of around 20 minutes.
Morning everyone. The airport is set to operate normally this morning though the terminal will be busy. If you’re coming down to LCY please allow extra time for your journey and continue to travel safely.
— London City Airport (@LondonCityAir) February 19, 2022
The airport told passengers on Friday: “Due to Storm Eunice there is disruption to services in and out of London City.
“Passengers, please contact your airline for the latest flight information and updates. If you are travelling to the airport, please allow extra time, as road and rail networks may be affected.”
British Airways said the rate of aircraft permitted to land at Heathrow Airport “is being reduced due to gale force winds”.
Gatwick and Stansted are advising customers to check the status of their flights with airlines, as well as allowing plenty of time to travel.
Aviation analytics firm Cirium said at least 436 flights to, from or within the UK were cancelled on Friday.
The highest proportion was at Heathrow, where 20 per cent of flights were cancelled.
This was followed by London City (16 per cent) and Manchester (10 per cent).
Heathrow airport said on Twitter: “High winds and poor weather may cause last-minute delays, but we will do everything in our power to minimise any disruption that results.”
Meanwhile, passengers on easyJet flight EJU8014 from Bordeaux to Gatwick endured two aborted landings before the plane was put in a holding pattern over the south coast and then forced to return to the French city.
It touched down back at its starting point more than three hours after it departed.
The airline told passengers this was due to “poor weather conditions in London Gatwick, which are below safe operating limits”.
Roads
National Highways issued a warning from 6am to 6pm on Friday adding high-sided vehicles and other “vulnerable” vehicles such as caravans and motorbikes could be blown over so should avoid bridges and viaducts.
National Highways head of road safety Jeremy Phillips urged those travelling to “plan your trip and take extra care, allowing more time for your journey”.
He said: “In high winds, there’s a particular risk to lorries, caravans and motorbikes so we’d advise drivers of these vehicles to slow down.”
National Highways announced the Orwell Bridge in Suffolk was closed in both directions with the Dartford Crossing joining it in shutting about 5am.
Rod Dennis of the RAC 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.”
Parks and attractions
The storm closed the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew and River Cruises shut on Friday.
The London Eye and River Cruise’s Twitter account said: “Due to severe weather disruption the London Eye and River Cruise has taken the difficult decision to close Friday.”
Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, St James’s Park, The Green Park, Greenwich Park, The Regent’s Park, Richmond Park, Bushy Park, Brompton Cemetery, Victoria Tower Gardens and Primrose Hill all closed on Friday.
Parks including Kensington Gardens, St James’s Park, Brompton Cemetery and Victoria Tower Gardens have now reopened to the public.
