United Kingdom (Commonwealth Union)_The Met Office has warned that “very strong winds” are expected to cause disruption to travel, leading to train and flight cancellations, structural damage to buildings and ‘danger to life’ as strong winds could pose a number of risks including ‘flying debris’.
Schools will close and trains and flights are being cancelled amid ‘danger to life’ warnings as Storm Ciarán roars in to batter the United Kingdom.
A severe amber weather warning for wind will come into force from 3 am covering Plymouth and Exeter on the southwest coastline, running until 11 am.
A separate weather warning for wind, covering the southern and southeastern coastline, including Portsmouth, Brighton and Canterbury, meanwhile, will run from 6 am to 5 pm on Thursday.
Yellow weather warnings will also be in place for both wind and rain in most of the country throughout Thursday, covering the south of England, London, parts of the Midlands, the northeast of England and Scotland.
A more serious amber weather warning has been issued for wind from 3am to 11am Thursday for the county too. The Met Office has issued a warning of 70mph gusts in some areas of Cornwall.
While more than 20 schools across Cornwall are closed on Thursday (November 2) and more than that number have decided to open late to staff and pupils due to Storm Ciarán, at least 144 schools will be closing primarily in Cornwall, Devon and Southampton due to the storm.
The Met Office has warned of ‘danger to life’ as severe weather conditions have brought strong winds and torrential rain to the South West. It comes less than two weeks after the United Kingdom was battered by Storm Babet, which also brought strong winds and heavy rain to the UK.
At least seven people are believed to have died in the storm, which caused the evacuation of an entire town in Scotland.
Gusts of wind could be felt of up to 100mph in certain areas, while other areas are at risk of flooding due to heavy rain.
The council also announced previously, that the Itchen Bridge in Southampton would be closed from 19:00 GMT.
Amidst fears of a “potential risk to life, Storm Ciarán has been declared a major incident in Hampshire.
The decision was made by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Resilience Forum who declared the storm would be a major incident from 00:00 on Thursday, with winds of up to 80mph (128km/h) expected across these two counties.
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Meanwhile, Isle of Wight Council is setting up information hubs for islanders who have been affected by the flooding and weather.
Southampton City Council said in an email to residents, that there was “a risk of damage to buildings and falling trees, leading to a potential risk to life”.
Springhill Catholic Primary School in the city contacting parents, said the “incoming storm has been declared a major incident and all schools are to close”.e
Shirley Infant School said it was closing, with all after-school clubs cancelled and the school expected to reopen on Friday.
A Southampton City Council spokesperson stated that in anticipation of the severe weather expected as a result of Storm Ciarán, they were advising schools in the city to close so as to ensure the safety of staff, pupils and parents. Some schools however, may decide to remain open.
The Met Office has warned of damage to buildings, travel disruption and flying debris when Storm Ciarán hits.
Hampshire County Council has also released a list of schools in the Test Valley and Fareham that are expected to close on Thursday.
It has also been confirmed by Cowes Enterprise College on the Isle of Wight that it will be closing for the day.
Meanwhile, an email from New Forest District Council to residents said: “As coastal regions are particularly vulnerable to strong winds, heavy waves and potential flooding, the council is advising people to avoid coastal areas.”
