Danger to life warning as Storm Eleanor blows in
Lives could be at risk with winds of up to 80mph expected as Storm Eleanor hits Britain, forecasters have warned.
Flooding, power cuts and travel disruption are predicted after the arrival of the fifth-named storm of the season, due last night.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning covering Wales, England, most of Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland.
The severe weather warning for wind, covering all of Wales, was in place from 6pm yesterday and ends at 6pm today.
The Met Office said Storm Eleanor was due to bring very strong winds yesterday, continuing overnight and into today.
The warning said: “Public transport may be disrupted or cancelled and some bridges are likely to be closed. Power cuts and disruption to other services (mobile phones for example) may also occur, while injuries from flying debris are possible.
“Combined with a period of high tides, it is likely that some western coastal communities will be affected by large waves and spray, and again there is a chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves, or beach material being thrown on to seafronts and coastal properties.”
The chief forecaster said: “Gusts of 70mph are likely quite widely, and 80-90mph gusts are possible along exposed Irish Sea coasts.”
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has also issued a warning for people to take extra care along the coastline over the coming days as high tides coincide with Storm Eleanor, potentially causing disruption and possible flooding in some areas.
Ceri Jones, from Natural Resources Wales, said: “High tides and strong winds caused by Storm Eleanor could lead to storm surges which could lead to dangerous conditions on the Welsh coast over the next few days.
“At this time of year there will be lots of people out and about visiting family and enjoying some time off and our advice is to keep at a safe distance from the coast, and from piers and promenades which will be particularly exposed.
“Large waves could overtop defences and throw up debris – this could easily cause injury or knock you off your feet.”