KILLER STORM ELEANOR HITS UK
STORM Eleanor will blast through Britain today with up to 90mph gales sparking widespread “danger to life” warnings.
The Met Office last night upgraded a yellow severe weather warning across northern England to a more serious amber alert.
Gusts were forecast to tear across the region through the early hours of today hurling debris and knocking out mobile phone signals.
People were warned to take extra care along coastal walkways where gales could send huge waves over defences. The Environment Agency also said high tides could lead to coastal flooding.
Paul Gundersen, chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: “There is a good chance that power cuts may occur with mobile phone coverage perhaps affected.
“Along west-facing coasts, injuries and danger to life are likely from large waves and beach material being thrown on to coastal roads, seafronts and properties.”
Regions most at risk include the East Midlands, eastern England, London and the South-east, Northeast, North-west, Scotland, Wales, West Midlands and Yorkshire.
Insurance firms have warned people in these regions to prepare for “significant damage” through today. Jon Cawley, head of claims at rural insurer NFU Mutual, said: “Drivers in some parts of the country will face hazardous conditions as any fallen trees or flying debris will disrupt people’s journeys.
“Anyone travelling by car during Storm Eleanor should be prepared for delays and diversions.”
He also warned: “Along with flying debris, falling slates and roof tiles are especially dangerous and people must take care if they venture outside during the worst of the storm.” It will be the second to hit in a matter of days after Storm Dylan unleashed widespread chaos on New Year’s Day. A woman beach walker died after being swept into the sea by a freak wave off the Lizard peninsular in Cornwall.
Emergency services launched a search to find her. She was recovered from a beach but was later pronounced dead in hospital.
A Lizard lifeboat spokesman said the sea had been “treacherous”. Storm Eleanor is the fifth to smash into Britain since the autumn. Winds are forecast to die down by this evening before the next Atlantic assault barges in tomorrow.
There will be a wet and windy few days before the heavy rain turns to snow at the weekend as freezing air from the North Pole leads to a fall in temperatures.
Met Office forecaster Emma Sharples said: “We are expecting strong winds associated with Storm Eleanor, which will continue through today before things calm down by this evening. Another weather system then comes through tonight bringing more unsettled conditions through Thursday.
“We expect further windy conditions and coastal gales.
“A change in the weather this weekend will bring calmer but much colder conditions.
“Showers will turn wintry over the hills in the north but also to lower levels and along the east coast where they could be quite widespread.”
Warm air pulled in by Storm Eleanor will push daytime temperatures into double figures over the next couple of days.
However the mercury will fall from Friday with overnight lows of -5C (23F) forecast in the North while the South hovers around freezing.
Carol Holt, flood duty manager for the Environment Agency, said: “We urge people to stay safe on the coast, take extreme care on coastal paths and promenades, and don’t put yourself in unnecessary danger trying to take ‘storm selfies’.”
Vince Crane at the AA motoring association advised drivers to take extra care. He said: “If you’re travelling in areas where the weather is bad, keep your speed down.
“If the road ahead is flooded, don’t chance it. Flood water can be deceptively deep, so turn around and find an alternative route.”