Waves batter Devon coast as Storm Ciaran hits UK
Storm Ciarán has hit the British Isles and the Channel Islands bringing a “weather bomb” with strong winds and heavy rain to Southern England.
A weather bomb, when pressure drops in a short amount of time, has only happened twice in the last 200 years in 1989 and 1821, according to scientists.
Hundreds of schools have closed, flights have been grounded, train services disrupted and major incidents declared in parts of the UK.
Major incidents have been declared in Southampton, the Isle of Wight and Jersey with councils shutting schools and in Devon and Cornwall to protect residents as 70-80mph winds are set to batter the south coast.
The Met Office has issued two “danger to life” warnings across England and Wales as travel across land, air and sea has been disrupted, with ferries, trains and flights cancelled until Saturday.
Train operators have warned travellers to expect disruption with Southern Railway, ThamesLink and Gatwick Express urging commuters to work from home.
Key Points
Show latest update
Three taken to A&E in Jersey, police say
Three people have been rushed to accident and emergency centres on Jersey, according to police.
“So far tonight 29 adults, six children and seven pets have been relocated in hotel accommodation due to property damage.
Four people and a cat have relocated to another address and three people have been taken to A&E. Emergency services are still out and about dealing with incidents,” Jersey police wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Alexander Butler2 November 2023 06:57
Mapped: Where Storm Ciarán will hit UK as new weather warnings issued
Alexander Butler2 November 2023 06:46
British Airways and KLM cancel 100 flights
British Airways and the Dutch airline KLM have between them cancelled around 100 flights to, from and within the UK due to Storm Ciaran.
Overnight, BA has increased the number of short-haul cancellations at Heathrow. The airline has grounded 38 domestic and European flights in addition to all 10 flights between Heathrow and Jersey – whose airport is closed all day.
The cancellations including two round trips to each of Amsterdam, Belfast City, Brussels, Glasgow and Paris CDG.
Passengers are being rebooked on other services, or can take a full refund.
In addition, KLM has cancelled five round-trips between Amsterdam and Heathrow due to reduced runway capacity at the Dutch airport.
Thousands of passengers hoping to connect from other UK airports at Amsterdam Schiphol are also learning that their flights on Thursday have been cancelled.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is telling passengers: “Due to the expected weather conditions at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the runway capacity has been reduced on Thursday 2 November. As a result, some of our flights have been cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience.”
All 17 UK airports served by KLM, from Bristol to Inverness, have had some departures and arrivals grounded. Almost 50 flights to and from Amsterdam are affected. London City, London Heathrow and Manchester are worst hit.
Passengers are entitled to be re-routed free of charge, with KLM providing hotels and meals as necessary until they reach their destinations.
British Airways has cancelled 38 domestic flights
(PA Archive)
Simon Calder2 November 2023 06:44
Conditions ‘very dangerous’ in Jersey
Weather conditions are “very dangerous” with wind speeds reaching up to 104mph in Jersey, the fire service warned.
“As wind speed increases we’re seeing an increase in calls. We currently have 8 crews out dealing with incidents, mainly in St Clement and St Helier.
“The highest wind speed recorded is 104mph. Please follow advice and don’t go outside. Conditions are very dangerous,” Jersey fire and rescue wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Alexander Butler2 November 2023 06:40
Met Office gives verdict on fireworks night forecast after Storm Ciaran hits
Storm Ciaran is barrelling into the UK this week complete with strong winds and heavy rain, and with Bonfire Night just days away, fireworks fans will be eager to know whether the storm will be putting a damper on their plans.
After the last Storm Ciaran weather warning expires in parts of Scotland and northern England on Friday morning, Met Office forecasters say Britons can expect calmer – albeit damp – weather on Saturday and Guy Fawkes Night on Sunday.
Athena Stavrou2 November 2023 06:30
Storm Ciarán brings strong gusts to France
Storm Ciaran is also bringing strong winds to parts of France. Residents share videos of lightning and gusts.
Stuti Mishra2 November 2023 06:00
Jersey under ‘danger to life’ red warning
A red wind warning, the highest level, was issued for Jersey in Channel Islands from yesterday night into Thursday.
Heavy winds have hit the island as Storm Ciaran entered the region with forecasters predicted gusts upto 95mph.
High tides could also force the closure of coastal roads, and residents have been urged to “avoid outdoor activities”.
Stuti Mishra2 November 2023 05:40
Read: Major incident declared as Storm Ciarán batters UK coasts with heavy winds
A major incident has been declared on the south coast as Storm Ciarán arrives, with heavy winds battering the UK.
Stuti Mishra2 November 2023 05:21
Animation shows Storm Ciaran ‘explosively intensifying’
Stuti Mishra2 November 2023 04:50
All flood and rain warnings in place in Scotland
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) has issued 12 flood alerts across parts of Scotland as well as two flood warnings in Dumfries and Galloway and Tayside.
Two amber warnings, the second highest level of alert, are in place for parts of the south coast of England today, together with further yellow rain warnings, the lowest level, meaning some disruption could be on the way.
Stuti Mishra2 November 2023 04:29
