LIVE: Storm Eunice hits Dorset
Follow live updates on how the county reacts to the arrival of Storm Eunice.
Last updated 18th Feb 2022
Storm Eunice has arrived in Dorset bringing 90 mph gales.
Some areas of East Dorset have been upgraded to a red weather warning, but that doesn't mean it will be clear skies across the west today.
Gales are predicted until 15:00 in Weymouth and Bridport with emergency services issuing strong safety warnings.
15:06 - Wind now expected to die down
The red weather warning has been lifted now and the wind's expected to gradually start dying down throughout the rest of the day.
A reminder though; there's still an amber wind warning in effect until 9pm tonight, and that will be downgraded to a yellow warning that's in place until Sunday.
14:11 - 39 Dorset roads blocked
Dorset Council says there are currently 39 roads affected by blockages such as fallen trees, and branches.
A Dorset Council spokesperson said:
"We're doing all we can to clear the trees, branches and other blockages and hope to reopen roads as soon as we can."
13:44 - Worst of the wind expected now
The worst of the weather is expected between now and 3pm today, when the red weather warning will lift.
An amber wind warning will stay in place though until 9pm tonight with average wind speeds around 40mph.
How long it will take for Dorset's emergency teams and engineers to clear roads and restore power will be seen in time.
Already there have been 153 emergency callouts to Dorset Highways this morning.
12:02 - Gust of 96.9mph recorded
A gust stronger than 90mph has hit a weather station in the east of the county.
10:57 - Where will the strongest winds hit Dorset?
Peak wind speeds represent the highest speeds that can be expected.
10:44 - Powercuts across Dorset with no clear fix time
At least 14 areas in Dorset are currently experiencing power outages, including most of Shaftesbury, the Winterbournes, Dorchester, Weymouth and Bridport.
A statement on the Scottish and Southern Energy website says:
"Storm Eunice is currently and continues to cause significant impact to the electricity network and our customer's supplies. Due to this we currently cannot guarantee electricity supplies will be restored soon.
"Our workforce, which was enhanced in preparation for the storm, has been mobilised and we're working hard to restore customer supplies as quickly and safely as possible. The first priority will be to get the power restored to as many homes as possible by altering our network around the damage."
Some areas might not have their power restored until 11pm tonight.
You can find out which areas are currently affected here.
10:42 - Flooding in parts of Weymouth
10:34 - Dorset County Hospital closes some entrances due to weather.
Patients are being asked to only attend appointments today where it is safe to do so.
10:11 - Lyme Regis webcam extremely shaky in howling winds.
There are currently around 700 people tuned in to Dorset's live webcams to watch the impact of the weather on West Bay and Lyme Regis where large waves and heavy sea spray can be spotted. It's hard to get a clear image from the Lyme Regis camera as it gets blown about in the wind.
10:00 - Emergency services issue safety advice
Firefighters and coastguards are both urging us to take care out and about today.
You can find more safety advice here.