Government warns people to stay safe as Storm Eunice approaches
The Environment Agency and the Met Office have issued safety warnings for Storm Eunice.
The Met Office has issued a red warning for strong winds, which could cause a storm surge and flooding from large waves, potentially affecting communities in the Severn and Wye estuaries on Friday (18 February).
It says flooding is possible from Sharpness and up the River Severn into Gloucestershire and along the Wye to Chepstow. The warning means people should take extreme care near the estuary and any coastal areas, it adds.
The Environment Agency said: “We are urging people to stay safe and warn wave watchers against the unnecessary danger of taking ‘storm selfies’. Please avoid low lying roads and footpaths during this time. There is potential for high water levels between 7:30 and 11:30 am on Friday morning.”
The Environment Agency has issued nine Severe Flood Warnings along the Severn and Wye due to the high risk of flooding from Avonmouth and up the Severn into Gloucestershire and along the Wye from Chepstow to Monmouth. A further 20 Flood Warnings are also in place.
Flood barriers have also been deployed further up the region in Shrewsbury, Frankwell and Beales Corner in Bewdley and officers are ready to deploy barriers at Ironbridge if needed.
Property owners are being urged to sign up to Environment Agency Flood Warning messages and to make sure they are prepared by following the ‘Prepare, Act, Survive’ guidance: prepare a bag that includes medical and insurance documents, check the latest flood situation online, know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water, check your insurance to make sure you are covered for flood damage. If you are flooded, call 999 if in immediate danger and follow advice from emergency services.
Kay Champion, Area Incident Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “We are closely monitoring the situation and working closely with our partners. Our incident response staff are checking defences.
“We urge people to make sure they are prepared by signing up to Flood Warnings and making sure they are in a safe place by following guidance from emergency services. We also strongly urge people to stay away from the coast during the storm as there is a real risk to life during these severe high winds.”
You can check your flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation here or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188.
