There is red alert over a large part of the United Kingdom due to the Eunice storm, which is striking in particular on the south-western coasts of the country – between Cornwall and Wales – but also affects other regions, including London: with the indication of the maximum level of weather alert (marked by concrete dangers for the lives of people who venture outdoors) extended in the last few hours by the authorities as well to the capital for the first time since the current warning system was created by the British Met Office 11 years ago.
The gusts of wind are violent, with peaks expected on the west coast of up to about 150 kilometers per hour, nearly 200 on the Isle of Wight, accompanied by downpours and showers of rain. While in the north of England and Scotland snow is also reported.
Most threatening atmospheric event of the last three decades
Eunice, which comes just after the Dudley storm, is considered the most threatening atmospheric event of the last three decades in the Kingdom. The general recommendation for the most affected areas – including the capital – is to stay at home. Public places and tourist attractions are closed for today in London; while in Wales and the west, school activities, trains and various public transport have also been suspended.
In Ireland, the first victim of the storm is reported: a man died in County Wexford, about 130 kilometers from Dublin, after being hit by an uprooted tree by the fury of the elements, a local police source reported by the British agency Pa. In the United Kingdom at the moment there are only a few injured or bruised, among the people hit by debris; as well as damage to buildings and various structures.
Transport chaos also continues, with around 400 flights canceled at British airports alone (20% of the total at Heathrow, the largest of London’s airports) and several others forced to suffer delays or repeated breathtaking landing maneuvers. And also repercussions on rail traffic on the island, with local trains completely stopped in Wales as a precaution, and on road traffic. While the port of Dover, on the English Channel, has suspended its activities for a few hours as a precautionary measure.