STORM Eunice has sparked travel chaos across the UK – with major delays and cancellations for trains and flights.
Hundreds of rail services have been suspended, including all trains provided by TFL Rail in and out of London.
An EMERGENCY Cobra meeting has been held today as deadly Storm Eunice lashed Britain with 100mph winds.
Read our travel updates live blog below for the latest news and cancellations….
- Milica Cosic
BA updates advice to passengers
British Airways, has updated its message to passengers.
The message reads: “Due to the extreme weather conditions across the UK and resulting restrictions on the number of aircraft that can take-off and land each hour, we, like other airlines, are experiencing significant disruption.
“We’re operating as many flights as we can and putting on larger aircraft where possible. Customers due to travel on a short-haul service today can rebook for free on ba.com.
“Those whose flights have been cancelled are being contacted to offer options including a full refund.
“Safety is always our priority and we’re encouraging customers to check the latest flight information on ba.com before heading to the airport.”
- Milica Cosic
University suspended teaching yesterday
The University of Bedfordshire suspended teaching yesterday due to Storm Eunice.
In a tweet, the University said: "The University of Bedfordshire is closed today (Friday 18 February), due to severe weather warnings.
"Teaching on all campuses is suspended, staff and students are advised to stay at home."
- Milica Cosic
Deliveroo & Uber Eats shut down in areas on Friday
Food deliveries in some areas have were suspended yesterday as the UK battled chaos from Storm Eunice.
A message on the Deliveroo app in parts of London and Buckinghamshire read: "We'll be back delivering again when it is safe to do so.
"In the interest of keeping riders safe, our service is not available at the moment due to a red weather warning.
"We'll be available again as soon as it's safe to do so."
And, note on the Uber Eats app on Friday said: "Uber Eats is currently unavailable in your area due to bad weather."
- Joseph Gamp
Can you drive in a red weather warning?
Winds in excess of 90mph have been predicted due to Storm Eunice today, which could make driving potentially treacherous.
There are no rules against driving where there is a red weather warning, though people are advised to be a particularly careful if they choose to do so.
National Highways head of road safety, Jeremy Phillips, said: “We’re encouraging drivers to check the latest weather and travel conditions before setting off on journeys and consider if their journey is necessary and can be delayed until conditions improve.
“If you do intend to travel, then plan your trip and take extra care, allowing more time for your journey.
“In high winds, there’s a particular risk to lorries, caravans and motorbikes, so we’d advise drivers of these vehicles to slow down.
“Drivers of other vehicles should be aware of sudden gusts of wind which can affect handling and braking, and give high-sided vehicles, caravans, and motorbikes plenty of space.
“In the event of persistent high winds we may need to close bridges to traffic for a period, so please be alert for warnings of closures and follow signed diversion routes.”
- Joseph Gamp
Chiltern Railways warns of disruption tomorrow morning
The operator tweeted this evening: "We are working hard overnight with Network Rail to reopen the network following Storm Eunice.
"Although we aim to resume service as close to normal as possible, please anticipate minor disruption on Saturday morning.
"Please CHECK BEFORE YOU TRAVEL ON SATURDAY."
- Joseph Gamp
Emergency 999 calls at highest level
The London Fire Brigade today declared a major incident in response to the volume of 999 calls being taken about Storm Eunice.
Throughout the day on Friday, the London Fire Bridge attended numerous incidents, including:
- A van overturned on the M11
- Scaffolding in a precarious position in Islington
- A balcony collapse in central London
- A large container on top of a high-rise building in a precarious position on the Isle of Dogs.
Great Western Railway service disruption until at least 10am on Saturday
Great Western Railway has advised the public to not travel.
The operator says Storm Eunice's impact means it is "unlikely" to be able to run a consistent service.
Disruptions are likely to last until 10am on Saturday morning.
The company are also offering refunds to customers.
More than 27,000 properties without power in Cornwall
In Cornwall at least 27,000 properties are without power.
Martyn Alvey, Cornwall Council's cabinet member for the environment, said: "Storm Eunice has left in its wake a lot of damage and disruption – including power outages for many households across Cornwall.
"While the power companies are doing everything they can to get households back on grid, and the council and our partners are working hard to clean up the debris and damage left by the storm, there will be residents who this evening don't have power at home.
"We are encouraging people in Cornwall to look out for their neighbours who are vulnerable and might be struggling this weekend."
In Monmouthshire highway crews have cleared more than 50 fallen trees which blocked roads.
Richard John, leader of Monmouthshire County Council, said: "I would like to thank everyone in Monmouthshire who has avoided travel today – conditions are still looking challenging out there, so it's wise to avoid any unnecessary journeys.
"Thank you to colleagues who have been working round the clock in difficult conditions to keep everyone safe and to get so many services back up and running for tomorrow.
"I'm incredibly proud of the way that colleagues and residents alike have dealt with the biggest storm we have seen in decades."
Man dies after debris hits windscreen of vehicle amid high winds
A man in his 50s has died after debris struck the windscreen of a vehicle he was travelling in amid high winds.
The incident took place in Netherton, Merseyside, at 2.10pm on Friday as Storm Eunice swept through the region.
The male driver of the vehicle was uninjured but his passenger was pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene at Switch Island off Dunnings Bridge Road.
Sergeant Amy Murray, of Merseyside Police, said: "This is a very tragic incident and our sympathies go out to the family and friends of the passenger and anyone else who has been affected.
"I would ask anyone who was in the area of Switch Island/Dunnings Bridge Road, heading towards Aintree, from Maghull, at around 2pm who saw anything or captured anything significant on their dashcam to contact us as they may have information which is vital to our inquiries."
- Joseph Gamp
Sadiq Khan urges public not to take risks as alert downgraded to Amber
London was today out under a red weather alert for the first time ever.
Storm Eunice ripped through the capital with winds speeds hitting 80mph.
The alert has not been downgraded from red to amber – but Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has urged Londoners to "avoid taking any risks".
- Joseph Gamp
TfL urges Londoners to avoid non-essential travel
Transport for London urged people to avoid non-essential journeys in the capital.
As of this afternoon there were severe delays on to the tube's District Line, Jubilee Line and Piccadilly line, while TfL Rail was suspended.
Others tube lines were part suspended.
A TfL spokesperson said: "We are doing all we can to ensure we are prepared for any impact with extra staff ready to respond quickly to any incidents but some services will be affected by the extreme weather.
"We are also urging Londoners to please take care if they travel around the city."
- Joseph Gamp
University suspended teaching yesterday
The University of Bedfordshire suspended teaching yesterday due to Storm Eunice.
In a tweet, the University said: “The University of Bedfordshire is closed today (Friday 18 February), due to severe weather warnings.
“Teaching on all campuses is suspended, staff and students are advised to stay at home.”
- Joseph Gamp
RAC urges motorists not to drive
The RAC has urged motorists not to drive during Storm Eunice unless it is absolutely necessary following the alert for snow, heavy rain and winds.
RAC Breakdown spokesperson Rod Dennis said: “With a rare red weather warning for extreme winds in place tomorrow, safety on the roads will be paramount. It’s vitally important drivers don’t set out during Storm Eunice unless it can’t be avoided.
“It might be better to make trips today or delay them until the worst of the storm has passed.
“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 tomorrow should definitely do so, and we also urge people not to be tempted to drive to the coast to take photos of the extreme conditions.”
- Joseph Gamp
What is a red weather warning?
Red weather warnings are rarely issued by the Met Office, with the last one coinciding with Storm Arwen in November 2021.
A red warning for wind means for you to expect:
- 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
Man in killed by flying debris in Liverpool
A man has been killed in Liverpool when a car in which he was travelling was hit by flying debris during Storm Eunice on Friday, police said.
“Paramedics attended at the scene but the man, who is in his 50s, was sadly pronounced dead,” Merseyside Police said.
“The male driver of the vehicle was not injured.”
- Joseph Gamp
Dover reopens for limited ferry services and shipping
The Port of Dover has reopened to shipping and some ferry services after closing earlier on Friday due to Storm Eunice.
A spokesperson said: “The port and ferry operators will now continue to work together to ensure that services are running with minimal disruption.”
- Joseph Gamp
Building roof blown on to railway line in Oxfordshire
Dramatic footage shows the roof of a building being blown on to railway tracks in Banbury, Oxfordshire.
Network Rail tweeted a clip from Chiltern Railway, writing: Another severe example of why many services across Britain have been cancelled today.
"Footage captured by @chilternrailway shows why they've had to suspend services
"The roof of a building blew onto tracks at #Banbury."
- Joseph Gamp
Network Rail confirms Preston station shut over concerns about roof
Storm Eunice's strong gales have closed Preston railway station to passengers amid concerns about its roof, said Network Rail.
Engineers are inspecting sections of metal panelling, which have come loose in gusts of up to 80mph.
Trains can pass through the Lancashire station but will not stop there for the rest of Friday.
Phil James, Network Rail's North West route network director, said: "Because of Storm Eunice's severity we've had no choice but to close Preston so we can thoroughly inspect the roof.
"I'd like to thank people for following our advice by not travelling today while we work flat out to repair the damage from one of the worst storms in 30
- Joseph Gamp
Thousands tune in to watch flights landing at Heathrow amid storm
As Storm Eunice batters the UK, more than 200,000 people have tuned in to a YouTube channel livestreaming aircraft battling with high winds as they attempt to land at London's Heathrow Airport.
The storm has caused travel disruption across the country, with some flights diverting to other airports, while British Airways said it is suffering from "significant disruption", with dozens of flights cancelled.
Big Jet TV, which regularly films livestreams from Heathrow, has captured several "go-arounds", in which an aircraft trying to land on the runway aborts its attempt, instead flying back around the airport for another attempt.
The channel is the second-highest trend in the UK on Twitter as of Friday afternoon. "BOSH", a reference to the commentary of the landings, occupies the third spot.
Jerry Dyer, who runs the channel, has been frequently heard shouting "bosh" as the aircraft touch down, praising the pilots' skills.
Praising the stream's entertainment value, the football commentator Clive Tyldesley remarked on Twitter: "Big Jet TV may be the end of football."
Meanwhile, one user, @eaglemcgill, tweeted: "Just wanna be in the pub, big screen on, watching Big Jet TV with some pints." Their post has received thousands of likes.
- Joseph Gamp
Dover reopens for limited ferry services and shipping
The Port of Dover has reopened to shipping and some ferry services after closing earlier on Friday due to Storm Eunice.
A spokesperson said: "The port and ferry operators will now continue to work together to ensure that services are running with minimal disruption."
- Joseph Gamp
Thousands of homes without power
Thousands of homes across Wales are without power as Storm Eunice batters the UK.
Western Power Distribution is reporting several incidents of ‘high voltage’ power outages across South and Mid Wales.
As of 12.41pm, there were a total of 33,051 homes in Wales without power.
In a statement, it said: “We are aware of this power cut incident which was raised at 7.54am this morning (February 18) and our engineers are working to get the power returned as quickly as possible.
“We are sorry for any inconvenience this is causing you.”
- Joseph Gamp
EasyJet cancels large numbers of flights from UK airports
EasyJet has cancelled a number of flights from UK airports on Friday.
It said in a statement: "Due to strong winds impacting parts of the UK today, like other airlines we are experiencing some disruption to our flying programme and have been required to cancel a small number of flights to and from the UK.
"We are doing all possible to minimise the impact of the weather disruption for our customers and have notified those on cancelled flights in advance, with the option of transferring to an alternative flight free of charge or receiving a refund, as well as providing hotel accommodation and meals for customers who require them.
"We continue to advise all customers due to fly with us today to check the status of their flights on our Flight Tracker page for real-time information, and to allow extra time to travel to the airport due to the impact of the weather on local public transport services.
"While this is outside of our control, we would like to apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused by the weather. The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is always easyJet's highest priority."
- Joseph Gamp
Eunice causing chaos across main UK airports
Hundreds of flights to and from the UK have been cancelled as Storm Eunice batters the country.
More than 200,000 people tuned in to a YouTube channel live-streaming aircraft battling with high winds as they attempt to land at London's Heathrow Airport.
Heathrow suffered the worst disruption, with a fifth of all flights cancelled.
This was followed by London City (16%) and Manchester (10%).
- Joseph Gamp
All train lines blocked between Stevenage & Kings Cross
London North Western Railway has updated passengers on a mainline service from Kings Cross.
All trains running between Kings Cross and Stevenage.
The cancellations are due to a tree falling on to overheard electric wires.
- Joseph Gamp
Southeastern train mainline routes cancelled
Southeastern has cancelled all mainline routes as Storm Eunice disrupts travel across the country.
Routes from London will be shut as the region continues to face winds of up to 60mph and fallen trees on lines.
The Met Office issued a rare red weather warning for London with people urged to stay indoors.
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