Storm Eleanor: UK warned of 'risk to life' as winds of up to 90mph to batter the country... while Ireland is hit by flash floods

Ella Wills2 January 2018

Winds of up to 90mph are set to barrel across the UK overnight as Storm Eleanor brings severe gales from Ireland.

Forecasters have warned of threat to life due to flying debris, while flooding, power cuts and travel disruption are all likely when the storm arrives on Tuesday, forecasters warned.

Parts of Galway city are submerged due to flash flooding as the storm has already brought heavy rain and a gust of 97mph to western parts of Ireland.

A severe amber weather warning has been issued for very strong winds for southern parts of Northern Ireland from 7.30pm on Tuesday and northern England as well as southern fringes of Scotland overnight.

And a separate yellow weather warning for strong winds is in place until 6pm on Wednesday for most of the UK.

A Met Office forecaster told the Standard: “It will be a windy night and a windy day tomorrow.”

Wind speeds of up to 90mph are expected in some parts of the UK, with gusts between 50-60mph predicted for much of the country.

“Heavy rain will travel north-east tonight and then strong winds will move to Northern Ireland, southern Scotland and northern England overnight,” the forecaster warned.

“It will be quite windy, up to 70mph across these parts, with gusts of between 80 and 90mph in regions.

“We could see between 50 and 60mph in the yellow warning area, which covers most of the UK.”

Public transport may be disrupted or cancelled and some bridges are likely to be closed, the Met Office said.

Highways England said part of the Dartford Crossing will be closed from 11pm due to high winds and is expected to reopen before rush hour on Wednesday.

Orwell Bridge in Suffolk will also be closed overnight., it added.

Meanwhile National Rail said the storm would affect trains services in Wales until 6am on Wednesday.

The Environment Agency warned that strong winds and high tides could bring coastal flooding from Tuesday until Thursday.

Images and video shared online show flooding throughout Galway, and power grid ESB Networks reported 55,000 customers in Ireland are without power due to the bad weather.

Carol Holt, the Environment Agency's flood duty manager, said: "We urge people to stay safe on the coast - take extreme care on coastal paths and promenades, and don't put yourself in unnecessary danger trying to take 'storm selfies'.

"If you're travelling, please check your route before setting off and don't drive through flood water."

Cold weather in UK and London

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Vince Crane, of the AA, advised drivers to take extra care in the worsening conditions.

He said: "Road conditions can quickly deteriorate during very heavy rainfall, with drains becoming swamped or blocked and standing water causing surface spray, reduced visibility and potentially leading to flooding.

"Drivers will need to take extra care and expect delays, even on motorways.

"Strong or sudden gusts of wind are more likely on open stretches of road, when passing bridges or gaps in hedges, or when overtaking high-sided vehicles."

In Wales people have been advised to keep a safe distance from the sea as Natural Resources Wales (NRW) issued a series of flood warnings for the south-east, south-west and north coasts.

Ceri Jones, from NRW, said: "Large waves could overtop defences and throw up debris - this could easily cause injury or knock you off your feet."

Pembrokeshire County Council also issued a warning for several areas, including Amroth and Newgale, where overtopping waves could cause disruption.

Bookmaker Coral is giving odds-on at 10-11 that the wind speed reaches as high as 100mph in mainland UK this week, with the firm also offering odds of 3-1 for this month to end as the wettest January on record and 6-4 for it to be the coldest January ever in the UK.

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