Storm Eunice: Live updates as thousands of Leeds homes without power, travel disrupted and buildings damaged
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Thousands of homes in the city have been hit by power cuts, while others have been damaged by the force of the winds seen this afternoon and in the early evening. Follow our live blog below and refresh the page for the latest updates.
Storm Eunice: Power cuts, Leeds flights diverted, cladding blown off building
Key Events
TransPennine Express are advising passengers not to travel today with tickets to be made valid for tomorrow (Saturday, February 19).
Cross Country Rail have joined their fellow services in advising passengers not to travel today as they brace themselves for Storm Eunice.
Reminder that they will also be running reduced services tomorrow (Saturday, February 19) as a result of union strike action.
Do not attempt to travel today unless strictly necessary is the message from the UK’s rail networks.
Millions urged to stay at home
Millions of people have been urged to stay at home for the day, as one of the worst storms in a generation hits the UK.
Schools, roads and businesses have shut, with major disruption to the travel network due to concerns over flying debris caused by gusts of up to 90mph because of Storm Eunice.
Homes have been left without power, while the Met Office issued two ultra rare "red" weather warnings - from 7am until midday along the coastline of Devon, Cornwall and Somerset as well as the south coast of Wales, and from 10am until 3pm over the East of England and London - due to the combination of high tides, strong winds and storm surge.
And weather watchers have been urged to stay away from the coastline, with Roy Stokes from the Environment Agency describing travelling to take pictures in such hazardous conditions as "probably the most stupid thing you can do".
A separate amber weather warning is also in place for gusts up to 80mph covering most of England from 5am to 9pm, as well as yellow warnings for snow in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Leeds Bradford Airport issues update on storm impact
Leeds Bradford Airport bosses say that it remains open as usual but the adverse weather conditions being seen around the country are causing delays to flights.
Storm Eunice: Leeds Bradford Airport open as usual with high winds causing delays and possible cancellations
Leeds Bradford Airport remains open as usual but the adverse weather conditions caused by Storm Eunice are causing delays to flights.
Met Office advice on weather warnings for Leeds and West Yorkshire
Here’s the latest map from the Met Office showing today’s weather warnings for Leeds and the surrounding area.
There’s a yellow weather warning in place for winds until 6pm and a separate yellow weather warning for ice from 6pm today through until 9am tomorrow.
The warning for winds means people should expect:
- There is a chance of some damage to trees and also perhaps to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs
- There is a chance of longer journey times or cancellations as road, rail, air and ferry services are affected
- There is a chance that some roads and bridges could close
- There is a small chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
- There is a small chance that injuries could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties
The warning for ice means there will probably be some icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths. There could also be some injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.
Worst yet to come
Forecasters are urging the Leeds public to remain cautious of travel with the strong winds that have so far avoided the region expected to hit in the coming hours.
Leeds weather reminder
A reminder that a yellow weather warning for high winds remains in place with Storm Eunice expected to bring severe gales later today.
Storm Eunice Leeds: Hour by hour weather forecast as yellow warning remains in place for high winds
A yellow weather warning for high wind remains in place across Leeds this morning as the city prepares to be hit by Storm Eunice.