Storm Ciaran latest: One DEAD after hurricane-force winds - urgent tornado warning issued

Storm Ciaran latest: One DEAD after hurricane-force winds - urgent tornado warning issued
GB NEWS
Dan Falvey

By Dan Falvey


Published: 02/11/2023

- 08:05

Updated: 03/11/2023

- 08:45

Residents in Jersey were evacuated overnight at the storm hit

Storm Ciaran has hit the British Isles, bringing with it dangerously fast winds of over 100mph that have led to urgent warnings for Britons to stay home.

The storm has already claimed the life on one man in France, with danger to life warnings in place across the UK.


Multiple Met Office weather warnings are in place for rain and hurricane-force winds battering the country as meteorologists warn the conditions could have deadly consequences.

The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation has issued a warning for tornadoes.

Storm Ciaran weather chartStorm Ciaran hit the British Isles this morningWXCHARTS

A major incident has been declared in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The intense weather has already led to some train services being cancelled and hundreds of schools across the south have also closed because of the risk to pupils.

Commuters are also being told to avoid going into the office if they are able to.

There have been over 10,000 power outages across 14 regions in UK with Devon and Cornwall worst affected.

In Jersey, a state dependency of the UK, 35 people were moved to hotel accommodation overnight due to concerns of the weather conditions there.

Another three have been forced to seek refuge in the local hospital.

Describing the devastation caused overnight, local resident Jenny said: "When the hailstones came, which was around about 12 'clock, it sounded like they were going to break through the roof of the ceiling. They were so large."

Large waves hit UK in Storm Ciaran

Large waves have smashed into coastal towns with severe flood warnings in place

PA

Debris on a train track during Storm Ciaran

Delays are expected to train services, with debris being hurtled onto the tracks in Storm Ciaran's strong winds

PA


"They were as big as 50p pieces if not bigger," she added when speaking to the BBC.

"Jersey has been hit really badly. The St Clemency area was hit by a sort of tornado during the night."

An amber wether warning - the second most severe - is in place from 6am to 5pm with winds expected to reach up to 85mph and large waves.

Another amber warning is in place until 11am in Devon and Cornwall.

The Met Office warned those areas: "Damage to buildings and homes is possible, with roofs blown off and trees and power lines brought down."

It added: "There is potential for large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties."

Lorries queuing to cross the English Channel during Storm Ciaran

Ferry services in the English Channel has been suspended due to the conditions from Storm Ciaran

PA

​Drivers have been told to prepare for difficult conditions due to high winds

PA

Britons have been warned to batten down trampolines in order to avoid them from being picked up by the wind and sent flying.

Separately, Ben Lukey, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Large waves and onshore gales brought by Storm Ciaran could see significant flooding along parts of the south coast and along parts of the Yorkshire and North East coasts on Thursday.”

According to the Environment Agency, flooding is expected in 54 areas with a further 134 alerts are in place for possible flooding across England.

Disruption is expected to trains and some air travel services have already been cancelled, meanwhile conditions on the road are treacherous.

P&O Ferries has also confirmed it has suspended services in the English Channel.

It said: "Our services between Dover and Calais are currently suspended due to Storm Ciaran.

Storm Ciaran in France

France has also been badly impacted by Storm Ciaran

REUTERS

"We will resume sailing as soon as it is safe to do so. Please keep an eye on our feeds and we will update once we have further information."

As well as impacting the UK, Storm Ciaran has also had significant impact on the continent.

One lorry driver has been killed in France after being hit by a fallen tree.

There are also 1.2 million people in the country currently without electricity.

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