Britain hunkers down as Storm Eunice prompts first red warning for London

The meteorological service issued its first-ever "danger to life" weather warning for London since the system was introduced in 2011.

Storm Eunice is likely to cause significant disruption and dangerous conditions, the UK's weather forecasting office has said.
Reuters

Storm Eunice is likely to cause significant disruption and dangerous conditions, the UK's weather forecasting office has said.

Millions of Britons have been urged to cancel travel plans and stay indoors amid fears of high winds and flying debris in view of the second major storm this week.

Britain's meteorological service issued its first ever "danger to life" weather warning for London and the army was placed on standby as Storm Eunice made landfall on Friday.

The Met Office warned of "significant disruption and dangerous conditions due to extremely strong winds", adding that roofs could be blown off, trees uprooted and power lines brought down.

The storm, with gusts that may exceed 144 kilometres per hour in highly exposed coastal areas, has caused the Met Office to issue its first "red" weather warning for the capital since the system was introduced in 2011. 

The warning is active between 1000 and 1500 GMT. A lower level amber warning for gusts up to 128 kilometres covers the whole of England.

“After the impacts from Storm Dudley for many on Wednesday, Storm Eunice will bring damaging gusts in what could be one of the most impactful storms to affect southern and central parts of the UK for a few years,” Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said.

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'Do not take risks'

The storm, which BBC Weather said could be one of the country's worst in three decades, is barrelling eastwards towards London.

Hundreds of homes were reported to have been left without power in Cornwall, southwest England, which Eunice hit overnight.

A number of tourist attractions in England, including the London Eye, Legoland and Warwick Castle are temporarily closing.

“I urge all Londoners to stay at home, do not take risks, and do not travel unless it is absolutely essential,″ Mayor Sadiq Khan said.

Roads, bridges and railway lines have already been hit, causing delays and cancellations to bus, train and ferry services. Schools in the path of the storm are shut for the day.

Train operators across Britain urged passengers to avoid travelling on Friday.

The government highway agency said high-sided vehicles and other “vulnerable” vehicles such as caravans and motorbikes could be blown over so should avoid bridges and viaducts.

British Airways warned of delays at London’s Heathrow Airport because the wind has reduced the rate at which aircraft are permitted to land.

“High winds and poor weather may cause last-minute delays, but we will do everything in our power to minimise any disruption that results,” the airline said.

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