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Snow, high winds and flooding bring travel chaos to Britain - live updates Snow, high winds and flooding bring travel chaos to Britain - live updates
(35 minutes later)
1.30pm GMT
13:30
Alexandra Topping
Essex Police have insisted they are “not crying wolf” as they urgedresidents in the coastal communities of Jaywick, Mistley and WestMersea to evacuate their homes immediately ahead of “expected severe flooding tonight”.
By early afternoon evacuees were beginning to arrive at emergency“rest centres” set up in Clackton and West Mersea.
Essex Police Chief Inspector Russ Cole confirmed a full evacuation was now under way.
Speaking to the Guardian at the rest centre where more than 75 people had registered by early afternoon, Cole insisted the force was “not crying wolf”.
A severe flood warning is in place for Jaywick, Mistley and WestMersea for high tide tonight, expected around 0015. A full evacuation plan for both Jaywick, Mistley and West Mersea was triggered at around 11 am on Friday.
“We haven’t taken this decision lightly,” said Cole. “We are not crying wolf we have taken a carefully considered assessment. We can’t force people to leave their homes but there is a real and present risk.”
Some residents facing evacuation have expressed concerns about looting, but Cole said there would be increased police patrols around empty properties.
He said: “If anyone thinks they can come with a van and commit crime in any of these areas they are wrong. We are doing stop checks and criminals are more likely to be arrested today when there are 200 extra officers on the ground.”
To those who chose not to evacuate the town he said: “If you are contacted by police please do listen, they are saying this for a reason. Stay with friends or family or come to the rest centre, with yours pets- there really is no reason to stay behind.”
1.25pm GMT
13:25
Jamie Grierson
The number of severe flood warnings issued by the Environment Agency is up again, now at 16.
There are currently 16 severe flood warnings, which indicates danger to life, 87 warnings and 57 alerts in force in England and Wales.
1.10pm GMT
13:10
Severin Carrell
Gale force winds have forced the cancellation of ferry services from the Scottish mainland to islands such as Mull by ferry operator CalMac and led to the rescheduling of other lifeline services to the Western Isles.
CalMac has announced a series of timetable changes and cancellations on its Twitter feed.
AMBER #Oban #Craignure 13/01 1200 ex Oban & 1300 ex Craignure have been cancelled. Service will resume 1400 ex Oban (Weather permitting)
The number of road closures has grown following heavy snow affecting higher routes in the Scottish Borders and Highlands, BBC Scotland’s travel service has said.
Snow gates on A93 Spittal of Glenshee to Braemar road through the Cairngorms have been closed, while the A699 linking Selkirk to St Boswells in the Border is also shut.
#A93 Spittal of Glenshee - Braemar road SNOW GATES CLOSED - alos SNOW GATES CLOSED on the #A939 Cockbridge Tomintoul stretch. T.T.
Meanwhile, HM Coastguard, which helps coordinate mountain rescues, urged climbers and walkers to take great care in the Scottish Highlands during the adverse weather after a spate of incidents in recent weeks. They needed to choose routes very carefully and warn people of their plans.
In a blog on its website, the Coastguard’s Superintendent Colin Gough said:
Our mountains should not be underestimated as they can be unforgiving for even the most experienced. Severe weather conditions forecast in the coming days could change your environment within minutes and navigation could become difficult. White-out snow conditions could also make paths and tracks dangerously impassable.
1.08pm GMT
13:08
Nazia Parveen
A motorist avoided a serious collision after a 50ft falling tree missed his car by inches in a winter blizzard, reports MEN Media.
Kevin Phoenix was driving along Marsland Road in Sale when the tree came crashing down in strong winds and sleet just after he passed.
The fallen tree, thought to weigh several tonnes, appears to have damaged a brick wall on its way down, but only just missed a row of houses.
Father-of-four Phoenix, 48, from Brooklands, Sale, said after the drama on Friday morning:
Who said Friday the 13th is unlucky? It hasn’t been for me and the people in the houses. Thank God I put my lucky socks on that I got off my children for Christmas. It’s unbelievable that no one was hurt and no cars or homes were damaged.
Updated
at 1.24pm GMT
1.06pm GMT
13:06
Jamie Grierson
British Red Cross volunteers in Essex are supporting around 60 people evacuated from their homes in Jaywick.
The charity has five volunteers at Tendring Education Centre in Clacton. It is also providing support in Norfolk, Suffolk and Lincolnshire.
The rest centre was opened by Tendring district council and the Red Cross is working as part of a multi-agency response.
Merle Johnson, from Colchester, has been a Red Cross volunteer for four years. He is the team leader at the rest centre, where she says there are around 60 people at the moment.
We arrived at 7am to find that there were mainly older people here. Some had stayed overnight, some had come in at 8am this morning.
There was a lot of support from different parts of the community, including the council, social workers, and people who work with the elderly.
We’ve been going around and checking what people’s needs are and sometimes just sitting with them and having conversations about their concerns and giving support and encouragement.
Mainly we’re supporting older people so teas and coffees and toast are the order of the day. It’s a very calm environment and we’re pleased to be able to offer people some comfort.
Updated
at 1.25pm GMT
1.03pm GMT
13:03
The number of severe flood warnings issued by Environment Agency has risen again and now stands at 14.
There are currently 14 severe flood warnings – meaning danger to life – 89 warnings and 63 alerts in force in England and Wales.
Updated
at 1.25pm GMT
1.02pm GMT
13:02
Jamie Grierson
A regional newspaper editor I used to work for used to say if there was no news, write about the weather. Well, the Plymouth Herald appears to have even found a way of writing about the weather when there’s no weather to write about.
Missing the snow? Here are 14 old pictures of when it did snow in Plymouth https://t.co/GXeoUNV1Tm pic.twitter.com/GjeukWGU4Y
Updated
at 1.28pm GMT
12.58pm GMT12.58pm GMT
12:5812:58
Additional troops sent to Norfolk coast - MoD Additional troops sent to Norfolk coast
Jamie GriersonJamie Grierson
Minister for the Armed Forces Mike Penning announces a further 100 personnel have deployed to support @NorfolkPolice in Great Yarmouth. pic.twitter.com/5xhFABfrsyMinister for the Armed Forces Mike Penning announces a further 100 personnel have deployed to support @NorfolkPolice in Great Yarmouth. pic.twitter.com/5xhFABfrsy
Updated
at 1.28pm GMT
12.56pm GMT12.56pm GMT
12:5612:56
"We are not crying wolf." - Essex police chief"We are not crying wolf." - Essex police chief
Alexandra ToppingAlexandra Topping
Just had chat with Essex Police Chief Inspector Russ Cole, who said: "We are not crying wolf. It is a real and present risk". #flooding pic.twitter.com/Df1xXAJPMDJust had chat with Essex Police Chief Inspector Russ Cole, who said: "We are not crying wolf. It is a real and present risk". #flooding pic.twitter.com/Df1xXAJPMD
12.55pm GMT12.55pm GMT
12:5512:55
Jamie GriersonJamie Grierson
The Environment Agency has moved more than five miles (8km) of temporary barriers and 25 pumps to depots and towns along the east coast. The Environment Agency has moved more than 5 miles (8km) of temporary barriers and 25 pumps to depots and towns along the east coast.
It said the Army is “on stand-by” to assist with its response to any flooding. It said the army was on standby to assist with its response to any flooding.
EA national duty manager Mark Sitton-Kent said: “The combination of gale-force winds, high tides, dangerous waves carrying rocks and a coastal surge means parts of the east coast are extremely dangerous. EA’s national duty manager Mark Sitton-Kent said: “The combination of gale-force winds, high tides, dangerous waves carrying rocks and a coastal surge means parts of the east coast are extremely dangerous.
“We have issued severe flood warnings and urge everyone to check their flood risk and ensure they are in a safe place.“We have issued severe flood warnings and urge everyone to check their flood risk and ensure they are in a safe place.
“Our thoughts are with all those who are currently facing another uncertain day and night.“Our thoughts are with all those who are currently facing another uncertain day and night.
“We ask anyone tempted to go to the coast for a thrill or to take pictures to stay away - you would be putting yourself in unnecessary danger.”“We ask anyone tempted to go to the coast for a thrill or to take pictures to stay away - you would be putting yourself in unnecessary danger.”
Updated
at 1.29pm GMT
12.53pm GMT12.53pm GMT
12:5312:53
Alexandra ToppingAlexandra Topping
IT manager Darren Clegg was facing his second night at the Tendring rest centre, after being evacuated last night from the nearby St Osyth’s beach caravan park last night. IT manager Darren Clegg was facing his second night at the Tendring rest centre, after being evacuated last night from the nearby St Osyth’s beach caravan park.
He said he was told he didn’t have to be evacuated but was left with the impression that people who didn’t leave would be penalised.He said he was told he didn’t have to be evacuated but was left with the impression that people who didn’t leave would be penalised.
Because he had had a glass of wine he could not drive, so walked three miles to pick up his car today. When he arrived the caravan park was shut and he couldn’t retrieve it, so hitch hiked back to the centre. Because he had had a glass of wine he could not drive, so walked three miles to pick up his car today. When he arrived the caravan park was shut and he couldn’t retrieve it, so he hitch-hiked back to the centre.
IT manager Darren Clegg facing his second night in the #jaywick rest centre. His car is trapped in caravan park but says: "I'm an optimist" pic.twitter.com/hF6aRYwbI0IT manager Darren Clegg facing his second night in the #jaywick rest centre. His car is trapped in caravan park but says: "I'm an optimist" pic.twitter.com/hF6aRYwbI0
“I’m ok with spending another night here,” he said, adding thattonight he was going to try to avoid the snoring man who had kept him awake last night. “We’ve been very well looked after, there is food and tea, we had mattresses and sleeping bags so I can’t complain.” “I’m ok with spending another night here,” he said, adding that tonight he was going to try to avoid the snoring man who had kept him awake last night. “We’ve been very well looked after, there is food and tea, we had mattresses and sleeping bags so I can’t complain.”
He said that there had not been any clear information this morning, and he had got updates from journalists covering the story.He said that there had not been any clear information this morning, and he had got updates from journalists covering the story.
With a mi-fi connection he was taking the opportunity to work, and was trying not to think about the fate of his car and caravan. “I am not really worried- what will be, will be. We are all in the same position and I’ll just deal with it when it happens.”With a mi-fi connection he was taking the opportunity to work, and was trying not to think about the fate of his car and caravan. “I am not really worried- what will be, will be. We are all in the same position and I’ll just deal with it when it happens.”
Barry Dawson, 66 and Brenda Horwood, 74 came to the rest centre today in the hope of getting more information. Barry Dawson, 66, and Brenda Horwood, 74 came to the rest centre today in the hope of getting more information. The couple were worried about their bungalow that they have just finished renovating after 16 months.
The couple were worried about their bungalow that they have just finished renovating after 16 months.
Barry Dawson & Brenda Horwood having a cuppa in the rest centre- they plan to stay in their camper van in car park and watch Life on Mars. pic.twitter.com/Et1kYIMdprBarry Dawson & Brenda Horwood having a cuppa in the rest centre- they plan to stay in their camper van in car park and watch Life on Mars. pic.twitter.com/Et1kYIMdpr
Police had not called on them or posted an information leaflet, they said.Police had not called on them or posted an information leaflet, they said.
“My nan and grandad were floating around on an upturned table onCanvey Island in ‘53 so we’re not going to take any risks,” he said. He called the information availed “abysmal”. “My nan and grandad were floating around on an upturned table on Canvey Island in ‘53 so we’re not going to take any risks,” he said. He called the information availed “abysmal”.
“We’re alright, we’ve got the van and I’m a bit of a Boy Scout but the old people on our street, they can’t get out on their own. I’ve asked people here for information but they can’t tell me if my house is in the red zone or even when high tide is.” “We’re alright, we’ve got the van and I’m a bit of a boy scout but the old people on our street, they can’t get out on their own. I’ve asked people here for information but they can’t tell me if my house is in the red zone or even when high tide is.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.54pm GMT at 1.32pm GMT
12.38pm GMT12.38pm GMT
12:3812:38
Sandra LavilleSandra Laville
Local Authorities have triggered emergency measures to help rough sleepers as temperatures drop below zero. The emergency trigger - severe weather emergency protocols (SWEP) - means more outreach teams are sent onto the streets across England and Wales and local hostels put up more beds by using up all available space. “It’s a real lifesaving emergency situation,” said a spokeswoman for St Mungos. Local authorities have triggered emergency measures to help rough sleepers as temperatures drop below zero. The emergency trigger– severe weather emergency protocols (SWEP) – means more outreach teams are sent onto the streets across England and Wales and local hostels put up more beds by using up all available space. “It’s a real lifesaving emergency situation,” said a spokeswoman for St Mungo’s.
Updated
at 1.33pm GMT
12.15pm GMT12.15pm GMT
12:1512:15
Some images from PA reporter Georgina Stubbs in Jaywick.Some images from PA reporter Georgina Stubbs in Jaywick.
Emergency services are donning dry suits here as a precautionary measure against this afternoons high tide #jaywick pic.twitter.com/mpl7OOtbFqEmergency services are donning dry suits here as a precautionary measure against this afternoons high tide #jaywick pic.twitter.com/mpl7OOtbFq
12.11pm GMT12.11pm GMT
12:1112:11
Briefly looking ahead, the weekend weather looks quite different.Briefly looking ahead, the weekend weather looks quite different.
Quite a contrast in the weather this weekend. Whilst Saturday's looking cold but largely fine, Sunday will be wetter, and milder for many pic.twitter.com/tvFwhHhO3uQuite a contrast in the weather this weekend. Whilst Saturday's looking cold but largely fine, Sunday will be wetter, and milder for many pic.twitter.com/tvFwhHhO3u
12.03pm GMT12.03pm GMT
12:0312:03
Jamie GriersonJamie Grierson
Fifteen fire services across the country have been mobilised to assist with bad weather across the UK, the Chief Fire Officers Association said. Fifteen fire services across the country have been mobilised to assist with bad weather across the UK, the Chief Fire Officers’ Association said.
Powered boats, high volume pumps capable of pumping 7,000 litres of water a minute and rescue teams have all been mobilised across Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Humberside to protect the public threatened by tidal surge.Powered boats, high volume pumps capable of pumping 7,000 litres of water a minute and rescue teams have all been mobilised across Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Humberside to protect the public threatened by tidal surge.
Fire services currently deployed include Surrey, Bedfordshire, London Fire Brigade, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Hereford & Worcester, West Midlands, Nottinghamshire, Oxford, Cumbria, South Wales, Warwickshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.Fire services currently deployed include Surrey, Bedfordshire, London Fire Brigade, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Hereford & Worcester, West Midlands, Nottinghamshire, Oxford, Cumbria, South Wales, Warwickshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.
Assets currently deployed include fire service boats, non-fire service boats, tactical advisers, flood rescue teams, high volume pumps and command units.Assets currently deployed include fire service boats, non-fire service boats, tactical advisers, flood rescue teams, high volume pumps and command units.
Updated
at 1.32pm GMT
11.43am GMT11.43am GMT
11:4311:43
Jaywick evacuation is under way, Essex police sayJaywick evacuation is under way, Essex police say
Jamie GriersonJamie Grierson
The delayed evacuation of homes in Jaywick, Mistley and West Mersea, in Essex, has begun due to the expectation of severe flooding overnight.The delayed evacuation of homes in Jaywick, Mistley and West Mersea, in Essex, has begun due to the expectation of severe flooding overnight.
A severe flood warning is in place for Jaywick, Mistley and West Mersea for high tide tonight at 12.15am in the early hours of Saturday. A full evacuation plan for the communities was triggered at 10.40am, Essex police said.A severe flood warning is in place for Jaywick, Mistley and West Mersea for high tide tonight at 12.15am in the early hours of Saturday. A full evacuation plan for the communities was triggered at 10.40am, Essex police said.
Ch Insp Russ Cole said:Ch Insp Russ Cole said:
I need residents in Jaywick, Mistley and West Mersea to comply with police instruction and evacuate immediately. Latest forecasting tells us that risk has moved to the next high tide expected just after midnight. That threat has led to a severe flood warning being put in place for tonight’s high tide.I need residents in Jaywick, Mistley and West Mersea to comply with police instruction and evacuate immediately. Latest forecasting tells us that risk has moved to the next high tide expected just after midnight. That threat has led to a severe flood warning being put in place for tonight’s high tide.
Keeping people safe is our only priority and we will be evacuating residents from Jaywick, Mistley and West Mersea and need people to comply with our instructions.Keeping people safe is our only priority and we will be evacuating residents from Jaywick, Mistley and West Mersea and need people to comply with our instructions.
That evacuation is most safely executed in daylight hours. We are activating our evacuation plans and are working closely with other partners including the other emergency services, local authorities, health and social care.That evacuation is most safely executed in daylight hours. We are activating our evacuation plans and are working closely with other partners including the other emergency services, local authorities, health and social care.
A rest centre has been established at Tendring Education Centre, Jaywick Lane, Clacton to accommodate Jaywick residents. Residents in Mistley will also be evacuated to Tendring Education Centre.A rest centre has been established at Tendring Education Centre, Jaywick Lane, Clacton to accommodate Jaywick residents. Residents in Mistley will also be evacuated to Tendring Education Centre.
A rest centre at the Mica Centre, 38a High Street, West Mersea will be able to accommodate Mersea residents until their homes are deemed safe.A rest centre at the Mica Centre, 38a High Street, West Mersea will be able to accommodate Mersea residents until their homes are deemed safe.
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.05pm GMTat 12.05pm GMT
11.36am GMT
11:36
Jamie Grierson
Here are the top five “how-to” searches on flooding, according to Google Trends.
"How to prepare for a flood" is the top how-to on flooding being searched in the UK in the last 24 hours pic.twitter.com/X36weBgVK1
11.26am GMT
11:26
People in 5,000 Norfolk homes told to leave
Jamie Grierson
Residents in about 5,000 properties in Norfolk have been told to leave their homes, police said, and the number could rise to 7,000 later in the day.
Supt Dave Buckley said: “A multi-agency co-ordinating group has been convened twice to ensure appropriate plans and resources are in place.
“The group is planning for potential disruption for a prolonged period of up to 12 hours and households in those affected areas should be mindful of this.
“I would also urge members of the public not to put themselves at risk by gathering near to the water’s edge to watch the waves. While I accept they may be impressive, you are putting yourself in danger’s way. We would ask people to keep away from the seafront and flood water.”
A spokesman for Norfolk county council said three schools were closed. Two were being used in the flood effort: Caister cademy has been turned into an emergency flood evacuation centre and Cliff Park Ormiston Academy into a rest centre.
Updated
at 11.31am GMT
10.55am GMT
10:55
Alexandra Topping
Eight fire and rescue teams are on standby at Jaywick’s Martello tower, a firefighter has told me.
A smaller team at the community centre is monitoring the situation at the sea wall.
The firefighter told me fire crews were in place to support the police, and the operation was in phase two.
Officers and firefighters knocked on doors last night to gather information about who was staying and who was going.
“If people decide to stay, you can’t do anything to make them,” he said.
Updated
at 11.05am GMT
10.53am GMT
10:53
Jamie Grierson
Nine schools in Lincolnshire, including five in Skegness, have been shut for the day, according to the county council.
The authority also said the A52 has been closed between Mablethorpe and Trusthorpe as a precaution.
Great Yarmouth’s Sea Life centre, which is in the area covered by a severe flood warning, remains open.
A spokesman for the seafront tourist attraction said: “We haven’t known it [the sea] to come over for many, many years, so I think it is all right.”
Updated
at 10.59am GMT
10.52am GMT
10:52
Jamie Grierson
Eurostar has cancelled two trains between London and Paris due to “weather conditions” in south-east England and northern France.
A spokeswoman for the firm said all affected passengers were offered seats on other trains.
10.52am GMT
10:52
Jamie Grierson
Lincolnshire police chief Neil Rhodes said: “We are relieved that we have got through the night time without a significant incident, but we have got to remain vigilant and on the case for the rest of today.
“We are looking through from now to 6pm when the next raft of high tide reaches the Lincolnshire coast and we have got to look out for that storm surge.
“Please do not go down to the sea defences, it’s a very dangerous place to be.
“We aren’t out of the woods yet but, fingers crossed, we’ll be able to see through this storm surge together very soon.”
Updated
at 10.58am GMT
10.51am GMT
10:51
Jamie Grierson
In Lincolnshire, 11 people spent the night at the Meridian Centre in Louth after choosing to leave their homes.
The high tide in the early hours of Friday passed without incident along the east coast in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, with the Environment Agency urging caution but saying the picture was “improving”.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence was checking that sea defences have not been breached during the high tide in Lincolnshire.
Air support from the RAF will be used to check for any damage, with the county council saying any repairs will be made before the high tide on Friday evening.
Updated
at 10.58am GMT
10.40am GMT
10:40
❄️Some snowy scenes across the UK⛄️ #uksnow pic.twitter.com/x8bUi7T33u
10.37am GMT
10:37
Alexandra Topping
The wind has picked up in Jaywick, Essex, where it is bitterly cold and the snow has started to fall again. The tide is rising, and is expected to peak at around midday.
One resident said he had been told that transport to the evacuation centre had been – for the moment at least – suspended.
Robert, who did not want to give his surname, said he was “angry and frustrated” at the conflicting information.“I was told to evacuate, but I didn’t want to leave the house and the dogs. But this morning I wanted to get the missus and the baby to the centre and they told me the transport is suspended.
“I’m getting mixed messages from everywhere, we don’t know what is happening and I’ve got no way of getting there.”
The refuge centre remains open, but there it is unclear whether the evacuation is still under way since the flooding risk has been downgraded.
A police officer said they were currently in a “holding pattern”, waiting to gauge the weather risk.
Earlier this morning a police officer told the Guardian it was “unlikely” the sea wall would be breached and police were not telling people to leave, but should monitor developments.
Updated
at 10.49am GMT
10.25am GMT
10:25
Nazia Parveen
A 4x4 overturned on the A170 in North Yorkshire this morning. No one was injured in the crash at Sutton Bank in the North Yorkshire Moors.
North Yorkshire police tweeted a picture of the white jeep:
#A170 #SuttonBank currently closed due to RTC. Fortunately no injuries, please use alternative route whilst we deal & take care out there pic.twitter.com/5oE57y9mx5
Updated
at 10.32am GMT