Storm Eunice: Over 27,000 homes left without power across Cornwall
People are being asked to look out for their vulnerable neighbours
Last updated 18th Feb 2022
At the height of Storm Eunice over 27,000 homes across Cornwall were left without power.
Cornwall Council is asking people to look out for their vulnerable neighbours, relatives and friends this evening, at thousands of properties are still waiting for the power to come back on.
Cllr Martyn Alvey, Portfolio holder for the environment and climate change said: “Storm Eunice has left in its wake a lot of damage and disruption – including power outages for many households across Cornwall.”
“While the power companies are doing everything they can to get households back on grid, and the council and our partners are working hard to clean up the debris and damage left by the storm, there will be residents who, this evening don’t have power at home.”
“We are encouraging people in Cornwall to look out for their neighbours who are vulnerable and might be struggling this weekend."
You can find all the latest information from Western Power here.
Cornwall’s multi-agency Tactical Command Group, led by Superintendent Steve Lenney, remains open with Cllr Martyn Alvey, Cabinet Member for Environment, part of the multi-agency group. The Red Warning has now passed and Cornwall remains under a high impact Amber Warning, until 9pm.
With Council and partners working flat out to clear debris and keep residents safe, the focus of the Cornwall Tactical Command Group now is focussing on the clear up, getting homes back on power, and the recovery phase.
Latest updates across Cornwall:
• Police, Fire and Rescue and Highways calls are now steady and dropping off
• Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service have four units deployed to unsafe structures
• There are a number of fallen trees and dangerous damage to roofs and Cornwall Fire and Rescue are advising caution to anyone that absolutely has to be out and about
• Penmount Crematorium remains closed today (Friday), with all remaining services cancelled for today. Our Engineers will be assessing the damage, as soon as it is safe to do so, with a view to expediating repairs.
• The Tamar Bridge remains closed to high sided vehicles, due to high winds, but remains open for other vehicles.
• Highways have taken over 200 emergency calls, due to a number of fallen trees across Cornwall. With over 30 roads closed, crews are working hard to clear the trees and reopen roads. To report a fallen tree please call Cornwall Council on 0300 1234 222.
• A tree has closed the Pelynt to Polperro Road at Barcelona Cross, near Looe and the public are asked to avoid this route.
• There remain a number of properties with damaged roofs and whole roofs and roof debris causing issues. With Cornwall still under an Amber Warning, and damaged buildings more vulnerable to further damage, everyone is advised to take extreme care if they absolutely have to be out and about. Inspections to damaged structures will be carried out once it is safe to do so.
• Highways will be gritting roads across Cornwall from 6pm tonight.
• There are now nearly 27,000 homes in Cornwall without power, with Western Power Distribution (WPD) teams working hard to return power. It is too early for WPD to say how soon those properties will be returned to power. Nationally they still have 90,000 properties without power and have returned power to 170,000 homes. WPD are working with the Red Cross to prioritise people registered as vulnerable. With temperatures dropping tonight, as low as 1.5 degrees Celsius, and averaging 3 degrees Celsius - Cornwall Council is asking people to check on any vulnerable family and neighbours.
• Connon Bridge Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC) remains closed due to a fallen tree.
• Bodmin and Launceston Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) have reopened. Bude, Newquay and Tintagel HWRCs remain closed until considered safe to reopen.
• Bulky waste collections are cancelled today. Biffa will contact anyone, scheduled to have a collection, on Monday to rearrange collection.
• Recycling and garden waste and clinical waste will be collected on Saturday 19 February and rubbish will be collected on Friday 25 February.
• All Covid testing centres in Cornwall are closed until tomorrow, please check the NHS website before attending.
• The mass Covid vaccination site at Stithians is closed until Monday, while structural inspections take place.
• The Isles of Scilly has no significant wind and storm damage to report, although sea state is still very rough.
• All flood warnings are to be downgraded to flood alerts.