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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Weather bomb' batters parts of Britain – as it happened | 'Weather bomb' batters parts of Britain – as it happened |
| (about 2 months later) | |
| 4.03pm GMT | |
| 16:03 | |
| Closing summary | Closing summary |
| Updated | |
| at 4.23pm GMT | |
| 3.50pm GMT | |
| 15:50 | |
| While we’re on Ireland, thousands turned out to protest government plans to introduce water charges. | While we’re on Ireland, thousands turned out to protest government plans to introduce water charges. |
| 3.44pm GMT | |
| 15:44 | |
| 3.38pm GMT | |
| 15:38 | |
| Henry McDonald, my colleague in Ireland, has sent this update about the storm’s impact on the Cliffs of Moher, a big tourist destination. Meanwhile two people had a narrow escape in Northern Ireland after nearly being swept away. | Henry McDonald, my colleague in Ireland, has sent this update about the storm’s impact on the Cliffs of Moher, a big tourist destination. Meanwhile two people had a narrow escape in Northern Ireland after nearly being swept away. |
| Tourists and staff have been evacuated from one of Ireland’s most famous natural beauty spots - the Cliffs of Moher in Co.Clare. Management closed the visitor centre after the high winds battering Ireland’s western seaboard started to throw up debris from the shore posing a danger to staff and visitors. | Tourists and staff have been evacuated from one of Ireland’s most famous natural beauty spots - the Cliffs of Moher in Co.Clare. Management closed the visitor centre after the high winds battering Ireland’s western seaboard started to throw up debris from the shore posing a danger to staff and visitors. |
| Several tourists visting the iconic cliffs were injured when they were swept off their feet by the strong winds while a vehicle evacuating staff members was also lifted off the ground. | Several tourists visting the iconic cliffs were injured when they were swept off their feet by the strong winds while a vehicle evacuating staff members was also lifted off the ground. |
| The Cliffs of Moher visitor centre’s director Katherine Webster said: “Winds were extremely dangerous with some airborne rock debris falling near the viewing platforms. There were small stones and even some fist-size debris swept up by the winds. There has been some damage to barriers but we won’t be able to assess that until the storm passes.” | The Cliffs of Moher visitor centre’s director Katherine Webster said: “Winds were extremely dangerous with some airborne rock debris falling near the viewing platforms. There were small stones and even some fist-size debris swept up by the winds. There has been some damage to barriers but we won’t be able to assess that until the storm passes.” |
| “It wasn’t safe for staff or visitors to remain onsite so everyone was evacuated during the morning. Under no circumstances should anyone proceed with a visit to the cliffs under these conditions.” | “It wasn’t safe for staff or visitors to remain onsite so everyone was evacuated during the morning. Under no circumstances should anyone proceed with a visit to the cliffs under these conditions.” |
| Meanwhile along Northern Ireland’s north coast a jogger and dog walker had to be rescued afer being swept into the sea at Portstewart. The pair managed to scramble to safety this afternoon after the National Trust had issued a warning for people to stay away from the tourist resort’s beach. | Meanwhile along Northern Ireland’s north coast a jogger and dog walker had to be rescued afer being swept into the sea at Portstewart. The pair managed to scramble to safety this afternoon after the National Trust had issued a warning for people to stay away from the tourist resort’s beach. |
| Updated | |
| at 3.47pm GMT | |
| 3.22pm GMT | |
| 15:22 | |
| Power has been restored to 27,000 homes in Scotland, reports the Press Association. | Power has been restored to 27,000 homes in Scotland, reports the Press Association. |
| Thousands of customers are still without power in the Highlands, Shetland and Western Isles as high winds sweep Scotland. Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) said it has 500 engineers working to restore supplies, although repairs are taking longer due to the nature and complexity of the damage to the network in some areas. | Thousands of customers are still without power in the Highlands, Shetland and Western Isles as high winds sweep Scotland. Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) said it has 500 engineers working to restore supplies, although repairs are taking longer due to the nature and complexity of the damage to the network in some areas. |
| Earlier the entire Western Isles were left without power, while some customers in Orkney and Skye were also affected. The stormy weather has caused disruption across parts of the UK with power cuts, ferry and train cancellations and difficult driving conditions. | Earlier the entire Western Isles were left without power, while some customers in Orkney and Skye were also affected. The stormy weather has caused disruption across parts of the UK with power cuts, ferry and train cancellations and difficult driving conditions. |
| The Met Office has issued an amber “be prepared” warning for the west coast of Scotland, the Highlands and Islands, Orkney, Shetland and Northern Ireland. A gust of 81mph was recorded in Tiree this morning while South Uist was hit by a 79mph gust and Islay by one at 77mph, according to the Met Office. Winds of around 50mph have been recorded in north-west England and North Wales, where yellow “be aware” warnings are in place. | The Met Office has issued an amber “be prepared” warning for the west coast of Scotland, the Highlands and Islands, Orkney, Shetland and Northern Ireland. A gust of 81mph was recorded in Tiree this morning while South Uist was hit by a 79mph gust and Islay by one at 77mph, according to the Met Office. Winds of around 50mph have been recorded in north-west England and North Wales, where yellow “be aware” warnings are in place. |
| 2.57pm GMT | |
| 14:57 | |
| Tweet of the day? A plea from Network Rail Scot after it found a shed on the line. Makes a change from leaves... | Tweet of the day? A plea from Network Rail Scot after it found a shed on the line. Makes a change from leaves... |
| We have a #shed on the line just east of #Bowling. Team on way to clear to maintain services #scotstorm Please secure things in your garden | We have a #shed on the line just east of #Bowling. Team on way to clear to maintain services #scotstorm Please secure things in your garden |
| 2.32pm GMT | |
| 14:32 | |
| Coach services have been hit. The Stagecoach North Scotland twitter feed (@StagecoachNScot) has updates on cancellations. | Coach services have been hit. The Stagecoach North Scotland twitter feed (@StagecoachNScot) has updates on cancellations. |
| H/Land as a result the 1402 from St Margaret's Hope to Holm has been cancelled. Service will run from the Commodore Motel to Kirkwall. | H/Land as a result the 1402 from St Margaret's Hope to Holm has been cancelled. Service will run from the Commodore Motel to Kirkwall. |
| 2.17pm GMT | |
| 14:17 | |
| 2.04pm GMT | |
| 14:04 | |
| The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has river and coastal flooding updates. There are flood warnings for Strath Oykel in Caithness and Sutherland and Dumbarton Central in West Central Scotland. Richard Brown, head of hydrology for Sepa, said: | The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has river and coastal flooding updates. There are flood warnings for Strath Oykel in Caithness and Sutherland and Dumbarton Central in West Central Scotland. Richard Brown, head of hydrology for Sepa, said: |
| Exceptionally strong winds and tidal surge in the Atlantic continues to produce unusually high tides and large waves along the north and west coast of Scotland. The greatest risk of coastal flooding is expected today, especially along the coastlines of Caithness, Sutherland, the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland Isles, as strong to gale force winds create very large waves and tidal surges which could result in localised flooding to roads, coastal pathways, causeways and individual properties from spray and wave overtopping. There may also be lesser impacts affecting Argyll and Bute, Firth of Clyde, Clyde estuary and Dumfries and Galloway. The effects of the storm are expected to subside slowly but continue overnight into Thursday and Friday this week with a risk of flooding from wave overtopping and spray, before conditions start to ease substantially over the weekend. | Exceptionally strong winds and tidal surge in the Atlantic continues to produce unusually high tides and large waves along the north and west coast of Scotland. The greatest risk of coastal flooding is expected today, especially along the coastlines of Caithness, Sutherland, the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland Isles, as strong to gale force winds create very large waves and tidal surges which could result in localised flooding to roads, coastal pathways, causeways and individual properties from spray and wave overtopping. There may also be lesser impacts affecting Argyll and Bute, Firth of Clyde, Clyde estuary and Dumfries and Galloway. The effects of the storm are expected to subside slowly but continue overnight into Thursday and Friday this week with a risk of flooding from wave overtopping and spray, before conditions start to ease substantially over the weekend. |
| 1.54pm GMT | |
| 13:54 | |
| More ferry cancellations tomorrow. | More ferry cancellations tomorrow. |
| UPDATE: All sailings between #Mallaig - #SmallIsles are cancelled tomorrow (11/12) due to adverse weather... [1/2] | UPDATE: All sailings between #Mallaig - #SmallIsles are cancelled tomorrow (11/12) due to adverse weather... [1/2] |
| 1.52pm GMT | |
| 13:52 | |
| The Western Isles, where more than 17,000 people are without electricity and where the waves are riding high. | The Western Isles, where more than 17,000 people are without electricity and where the waves are riding high. |
| Weather and waves in the extreme..... The Western Isles. Photo Roddy Read. #weatherbomb pic.twitter.com/A3m55dI8MZ | Weather and waves in the extreme..... The Western Isles. Photo Roddy Read. #weatherbomb pic.twitter.com/A3m55dI8MZ |
| 1.49pm GMT | |
| 13:49 | |
| Weatherbomb is no bar to selfies. On a more serious note, the Traveline Scotland Twitter feed (@TravelineScot) is a useful source of news on travel disruption. | Weatherbomb is no bar to selfies. On a more serious note, the Traveline Scotland Twitter feed (@TravelineScot) is a useful source of news on travel disruption. |
| @ArgyllFerries look at us watching the Argyll Ferries passing by, so proud it's currently sailing #windy#waves :) pic.twitter.com/1jc8G6AbOM | @ArgyllFerries look at us watching the Argyll Ferries passing by, so proud it's currently sailing #windy#waves :) pic.twitter.com/1jc8G6AbOM |
| 12.46pm GMT | |
| 12:46 | |
| Lunchtime summary | Lunchtime summary |
| 12.29pm GMT | |
| 12:29 | |
| Trawler arrives in port safely | Trawler arrives in port safely |
| The trawler and its crew of 16 are safe. The O Genita got into difficulty after the vessel’s wheelhouse was hit by a large wave at around 6am. Stromness RNLI and the Shetland Coastguard were dispatched and a helicopter was scrambled. Lightning forced the helicopter to return to land but the Stromness RNLI made it to the scene. The trawler is now in Pierowall bay, Westray in the Orkneys. | The trawler and its crew of 16 are safe. The O Genita got into difficulty after the vessel’s wheelhouse was hit by a large wave at around 6am. Stromness RNLI and the Shetland Coastguard were dispatched and a helicopter was scrambled. Lightning forced the helicopter to return to land but the Stromness RNLI made it to the scene. The trawler is now in Pierowall bay, Westray in the Orkneys. |
| UPDATE: Spanish fishing trawler arrives safe in harbour after being rescued by lifeboat crew.http://t.co/F7n7AzhYMO pic.twitter.com/1fVTWbmaSm | UPDATE: Spanish fishing trawler arrives safe in harbour after being rescued by lifeboat crew.http://t.co/F7n7AzhYMO pic.twitter.com/1fVTWbmaSm |
| Updated | |
| at 4.03pm GMT | |
| 12.05pm GMT | |
| 12:05 | |
| More big waves. | More big waves. |
| Pictures: Seaside towns battered by winds as '#weatherbomb' nears http://t.co/Fx2tOHvnok pic.twitter.com/iCpAInulrY | Pictures: Seaside towns battered by winds as '#weatherbomb' nears http://t.co/Fx2tOHvnok pic.twitter.com/iCpAInulrY |
| 12.03pm GMT | |
| 12:03 | |
| Southern England may be enjoying sunny blue skies for the moment, but it won’t last. Leon Brown, meteorologist at the Weather Channel UK, says a secondary area of low pressure tracking in the jet stream from the mid-Atlantic tonight and across central Britain will bring gales to southern England and along the Channel by midnight. | Southern England may be enjoying sunny blue skies for the moment, but it won’t last. Leon Brown, meteorologist at the Weather Channel UK, says a secondary area of low pressure tracking in the jet stream from the mid-Atlantic tonight and across central Britain will bring gales to southern England and along the Channel by midnight. |
| There could be gusts 60 to 70mph along the south coast and over 50mph inland across southern England in the early hours. The system will also bring some heavy rain with 10 to 15mm likely across central and southern England and 25mm for Wales. Snow is likely across northern England with 15 to 20cm over the Pennines, but 5 to 10cm possible at lower levels too from Cumbria to North Yorkshire and Northumberland. | There could be gusts 60 to 70mph along the south coast and over 50mph inland across southern England in the early hours. The system will also bring some heavy rain with 10 to 15mm likely across central and southern England and 25mm for Wales. Snow is likely across northern England with 15 to 20cm over the Pennines, but 5 to 10cm possible at lower levels too from Cumbria to North Yorkshire and Northumberland. |
| 11.57am GMT | |
| 11:57 | |
| Dr Steven Godby, an expert in natural hazards at Nottingham Trent university, has helpfully provided past examples of “weather bombs”. | Dr Steven Godby, an expert in natural hazards at Nottingham Trent university, has helpfully provided past examples of “weather bombs”. |
| Infamous examples of ‘weather bombs’ include the storm that wreaked havoc during the August 1979 Fastnet yacht race, claiming the lives of 15 competitors, and the 1991 “perfect storm” off the north east coast of the US, which was the inspiration for the novel and film that told the story of the sinking of the fishing vessel Andrea Gail. | Infamous examples of ‘weather bombs’ include the storm that wreaked havoc during the August 1979 Fastnet yacht race, claiming the lives of 15 competitors, and the 1991 “perfect storm” off the north east coast of the US, which was the inspiration for the novel and film that told the story of the sinking of the fishing vessel Andrea Gail. |
| 11.50am GMT | |
| 11:50 | |
| It may be sunny in Windsor but it’s stormy in Glencoe - 100mph winds - as the intrepid Channel 4 News’ intrepid Alex Thomson (@alextomo) reports. Normally, Thomson is to be found in war zones. | It may be sunny in Windsor but it’s stormy in Glencoe - 100mph winds - as the intrepid Channel 4 News’ intrepid Alex Thomson (@alextomo) reports. Normally, Thomson is to be found in war zones. |
| A snowing hard now and strong gales in Glencoe - several cms of snow at low levels by Friday https://t.co/xxCGDJvtQq | A snowing hard now and strong gales in Glencoe - several cms of snow at low levels by Friday https://t.co/xxCGDJvtQq |
| Updated | |
| at 2.42pm GMT | |
| 11.43am GMT | |
| 11:43 | |
| A tinge of smugness? | A tinge of smugness? |
| We can't see any #weatherbomb signs here in Windsor... Very cold and windy though! pic.twitter.com/SMyf8AhGOp | We can't see any #weatherbomb signs here in Windsor... Very cold and windy though! pic.twitter.com/SMyf8AhGOp |
| 11.39am GMT | |
| 11:39 | |
| Those planning to visit the Iona abbey, one of Scotland’s most sacred and picturesque sites, are out of luck. | Those planning to visit the Iona abbey, one of Scotland’s most sacred and picturesque sites, are out of luck. |
| The boat to Iona is not sailing 10/12 which means the abbey is closed - sorry for any inconvenience caused #hsclosure #weatherbomb | The boat to Iona is not sailing 10/12 which means the abbey is closed - sorry for any inconvenience caused #hsclosure #weatherbomb |