UK weather warning - live: Storm Evert to bring 55mph winds as Met Office issues thunderstorm alert
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Storm Evert, the first named storm of 2021, hit southern parts of the UK overnight bringing with it costal gales, rain, and winds of up to 70mph.
Two yellow wind warnings remain in effect on Friday morning for southern England and Wales along the coast, reaching from St David’s in the west to Great Yarmouth in the east.
Gusts of up to 40 to 50mph are expected quite widely along the coast and could reach up to 55mph along the most exposed coastal areas. Strong winds are also expected to reach North Sea coastal areas during the late morning and afternoon.
The Met Office also issued a yellow thunderstorm warning for areas in the east of England, East Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber. Heavy showers, thunderstorms and torrential downpours are expected to last until late this evening.
Some areas could see up to 70mm of rain falling, increasing the risk of flooding. Driving and road conditions could become difficult, and some communities could potentially be cut off due to flooded roads. Power and other services could also be lost in some areas due to the storm.
The storm arrived as the Met Office said that the climate crisis is already evident across the UK, with the country becoming significantly hotter and wetter. Experts pointed out that from 1991 to 2020, the UK has become 0.9C warmer and 6 per cent wetter.
Met Office issues new weather warning
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms across eastern parts of England between 11am and 10pm.
Thunderstorm warning
Heavy showers, thunderstorms and torrential downpours that could cause flooding are expected across areas in the East of England, East Midlands, and Yorkshire and Humber, the Met Office says.
“Heavy showers and thunderstorms will develop later this morning and this afternoon.
“Some torrential downpours are possible with 20 to 40 mm rain falling in some places and, perhaps, more than 70mm rain falling in one or two spots”
They have warned that flooding of homes and businesses could happen quickly, with floodwater, lightning, hail and strong winds potentially causing damage to buildings.
Fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible, they say, potentially causing a danger to life.
Driving and road conditions could become difficult, and some communities could be cut off if roads flood.
There is also a risk that power and other services could be lost in some areas due to the storm.
Water levels high in Bexhill due to Storm Evert
Water levels are high in Bexhill following heavy rains and winds overnight accompanying Storm Evert.
Twitter user @clifffart shared an image of a groyne (or barrier built into the sea to interrupt water flow and prevent beach erosion) surrounded by water.
He said that normally, two hours before and two hours after low tide, people could safely walk around the end of the groyne on the beach. Today, due to the impact of the storm, he said there was “no getting around the bottom” of this groyne.
Rock Oyster Festival delays opening
The Rock Oyster Festival, held at the Dinham House Estate, St Minver, Cornwall, has delayed its opening by a couple of hours in light of Storm Evert.
The food and music festival, which is set to see Sophie Ellis-Bextor headline, announced on Facebook that its opening would be delayed from 10am until midday.
“Due to strong winds and storm Evert last night our team are working hard this morning to get the festival ready for you all – not too long now.
“We are opening the campsites from midday today and the main arena will open from 1pm.
“Day visitors please don’t arrive until 1pm.”
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Camp Bestival open despite stormy conditions
Camp Bestival’s family festival, hosted at Lulworth Castle in Dorset is going ahead, despite the turbulent weather.
The festival began on Thursday, with many camping overnight describing challenging conditions due to wind and rain. Twitter user @iamclarc tweeted: “Our tent has been destroyed by the gale force winds @bestival We’ll have to go home unless we can find alternative accommodation”.
Others needed to re-peg and hold up tents during the night.
Ahead of the storm, festival organisers shared tips for camping in high winds, including ensuring that tents are fully pegged down, securing all guy ropes and keeping heavy objects around the edges of tents.
On Friday morning, organisers said that public arenas and gates would be opening late due to the stormy conditions but expected all events to remain on schedule for the day.
Flood alert - Eastern Yar
The Environment Agency has said that flooding is possible in the upper Eastern Yar.
Although the water is near its normal level, base flow is greater due to the recent “exceptional” rainfall.
The Environment Agency warned that the river will remain sensitive to significant rainfall, with isolated showers potentially causing further surface water ponding.
The agency urged all those in the area to remain prepared for potential flooding over the coming four days.
Floor alert - Portlock Weir
Flooding is also possible at Porlock Weir on the Somerset Coast, the Environmental Agency have said.
“Waves are forecast to overtop sea defences at Porlock Weir with sea spray expected as a result of strong winds coinciding with high tide.”
High water was forecast for 11.45am with a level of 4.49m AOD and a Force 7 Westerly wind.
Flooding to roads and farmland is forecast around midday and may continue to apply u0p to two hours after high tide.
Flooding is expected along the coastline between Gore Point and Hurlstone Point.
The agency added that incident response teams have been clearing weed screens and closing flood gates. They urged people to be cautious along beaches, promenades, coastal foot paths and roads.
Cornwall Council urges people to be cautious around the coast: ‘no selfie is worth risking your life’
Cornwall Council has urged people to be cautious around the coast, “especially if it’s windy”.
Following gale force winds and rain overnight, Cornwall County tweeted that people should check tide times, stay well back from the sea and cliffs and keep dogs on leads.
They added: “No selfie is worth risking your life”.
Greta Thunberg criticises London Science Museum over Shell ‘gagging clause’
Climate activist Greta Thunberg has criticized London’s Science Museum following reports that it signed a “gagging clause” with oil giant Shell over sponsorship of one of its exhibitions.
Parts of a contract between the museum and Shell leaked online appeared to show an agreement whereby the museum would not “damage the goodwill and reputation” of the company.
The oil company’s sponsorship of the Our Future Planet exhibition, featuring carbon capture and storage technologies, was previously criticized by environmental activists.
Ms Thunberg tweeted: “The ‘Science’ Museum just killed iron (and their own reputation).”
But the museum said it “entirely rejects the unsubstantiated claim” insisting that it retained editorial control of the content displayed in its galleries and exhibitions.
“We entirely reject the unsubstantiated claim that our curators were in any way inhibited in carrying out their vital role in an expert, independent and thorough manner,” acting director and chief executive Jonathan Newby said.
PA
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