Storm Eunice is about to batter Britain, including Bristol. Even if things seem okay out there right now, things are set to get a lot worse before the end of the week.
In a sign of the seriousness of the situation, the government has today called a Cobra meeting - the briefings held whenever there is a national or regional emergency in the country. The Met Office has issued a red warning for wind in the West Country on Friday, and an amber warning for the rest of the country. But what do those warnings mean, and when was the last time we had one here in the south west?
What do red weather warnings mean?
The Met Office has three types of weather warning: yellow, amber, and red. These are provided on the subjects of rain, thunderstorms, wind, snow, lightning, ice, extreme heat and fog. Red warnings are reserved for weather events that are both very likely to happen and expected to have a high impact. Notably, the agency says a red weather warning means it is "very likely that there will be a risk to life".
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Its full definition of a red weather warning is as follows: "Dangerous weather is expected and, if you haven’t already done so, you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the severe weather.
"It is very likely that there will be a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure. You should avoid travelling, where possible, and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities."
What do amber red weather warnings mean?
Amber weather warnings are for weather events that are either very likely or could have a high impact. The full definition is as follows: "There is an increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather, which could potentially disrupt your plans.
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"This means there is the possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts and the potential risk to life and property. You should think about changing your plans and taking action to protect yourself and your property. You may want to consider the impact of the weather on your family and your community and whether there is anything you need to do ahead of the severe weather to minimise the impact."
What has the Met Office said about Storm Eunice?
The Met Office has issued a red weather warning for wind in the West Country in response to Storm Eunice. It covers the north coast of Devon and Cornwall, all the way up the Bristol Channel, including the western half of Bristol, and along the south coast of Wales.
It says people in those areas should expect the following between the hours of 7am and midday on Friday, February 18:
- Flying debris resulting in danger to life
- Damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down
- Uprooted trees are likely
- Roads, bridges and railway lines closed, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights
- Power cuts affecting other services, such as mobile phone coverage
- Large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and homes, including flooding of some coastal properties
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What should I do to prepare?
The Met Office is advising people to:
- Secure loose objects such as ladders, garden furniture or anything else that could be blown into windows and other glazing and break them
- Close and securely fasten doors and windows, particularly those on the windward side of the house, and especially large doors such as those on garages
- Park vehicles in a garage, if available; otherwise keep them clear of buildings, trees, walls and fences
- Close and secure loft trapdoors with bolts, particularly if roof pitch is less than 30°
- If the house is fitted with storm shutters over the windows then ensure that these are closed and fastened
- If chimney stacks are tall and in poor condition, move beds away from areas directly below them
During the storm, it says we should:
- Stay indoors as much as possible
- If you do go out, try not to walk or shelter close to buildings and trees
- Keep away from the sheltered side of boundary walls and fences - if these structures fail, they will collapse on this side
- Do not go outside to repair damage while the storm is in progress
- If possible, enter and leave your house through doors in the sheltered side, closing them behind you
- Open internal doors only as needed, and close them behind you
- Take care when driving on exposed routes such as bridges, or high open roads, delay your journey or find alternative routes if possible
- Slow down and be aware of side winds, particular care should be taken if you are towing or are a high sided vehicle
- Do not drive unless your journey is really necessary
And after the storm, take note of the following:
- Be careful not to touch any electrical/telephone cables that have been blown down or are still hanging
- Do not walk too close to walls, buildings and trees as they could have been weakened
- Make sure that any vulnerable neighbours or relatives are safe and help them make arrangements for any repairs
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