Live updates: Storm Eunice hits Cornwall
The Met Office has issued a rare, red weather warning, with significant disruption expected
Last updated 18th Feb 2022
We are being warned to expect significant disruption as Storm Eunice sweeps into Cornwall.
The Duchy is on the highest level alert, with that Met Office red weather warning for strong winds in force from 7am - 12pm.
It covers the whole of the north coast and parts of the south coast, with gusts expected to hit 90mph - 100mph in some places.
Flood warnings have been issued too, from Land's End to Bude and Land's End to Lizard Point.
The council has declared a major incident and, along with police and National Highways, is warning people not travel unless absolutely necessary.
On the trains, GWR is reducing the number of long-distance services and some branch lines will be closed too.
On the roads, Tamar Crossings says lane restrictions on the Tamar Bridge are likely.
Schools across the Duchy and attractions like Newquay Zoo and St Michael's Mount are shut.
The Royal Cornwall Hospitals' Trust has cancelled all outpatient appointments as well.
Follow live updates for Cornwall below...
Major incident update as Storm Eunice hits Cornwall
Cornwall Council declared a major incident ahead of Storm Eunice, as well as launching its Tactical Command Unit. The latest update states:
• Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service has issued an urgent call for people to stay away from the Sennen Lifeboat Centre after part of the roof was blown off.
• With reports of young people climbing onto seawalls and people swimming in the sea, the Coastguard and Police are imploring people to stay away from coastal areas and seafronts – and to not put their own or rescuers lives at risk.
• 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
• There has been serious damage to the roof of Penmount Crematorium. All remaining services have been cancelled for today. Our building control service 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.
• The A390 Lostwithiel to West Taphouse is closed, with a large tree down.
• Bude is currently experiencing significant winds, reported to be nearly 100mph, and a large tree has fallen in the town centre.
• Highways are extremely busy with over 200 emergency calls, due to a number of fallen trees across Cornwall. To report a fallen tree please call Cornwall Council on 0300 1234 222.
• There are a number of properties with damaged roofs and whole roofs and roof debris causing issues. 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.
• There are now nearly 26,000 homes in Cornwall without power, with teams working hard to return power. With temperatures dropping 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
• Bulky waste collections are cancelled today. Biffa will contact anyone, scheduled to have a collection, on Monday to rearrange collection
• 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.
Storm Eunice update from Cornwall's main hospitals
High number of calls to Cornwall's emergency services
Emergency services in Cornwall have taken a high number of calls due to Storm Eunice.
Devon and Cornwall Police said they had received over four times as many as they would normally do.
Most were to do with travel disruption, including fallen trees and power cables...
By 1pm Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service had dealt with almost 100 incidents, with some in the Bude area described as significant.
Those include a tree that came crashing down in the centre of town...
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said: "With the severe weather taking place today Cornwall Fire and Rescue have attended numerous incidents, predominately on the North Coast, with significant incidents in the Bude area.
"Since 0700 hours this morning the Control Centre have dealt with just under 100 incidents".
Roof ripped off Sennen Lifeboat Station
Storm Eunice has damaged buildings from Bude to Sennen, where part of the roof covering was ripped off the lifeboat station.
Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service were asking people to avoid the area, because of live power cables.
Devon and Cornwall Police say the area has now been made safe but debris is waiting to be cleared: "Police received reports that the roof had blown off at 9.30am and found that it was resting on a live power line.
"Members of the public were asked to stay away from the location whilst the incident was dealt with.
"Western Power has since confirmed with police that they have made the area safe.
"Contractors for the RNLI are due to be clearing debris from the site this afternoon".
Storm Eunice damages buildings across Cornwall
From Bude...
To Sennen...
Weather and flood warnings for Cornwall
The rare, red weather warning for Cornwall and the south-west has now lifted, but the Duchy remains at high alert.
The Met Office says the Isles of Scilly saw gusts of almost 80mph on Friday morning.
However, Kernow Weather Team recorded gusts of almost 95mph at its station in Illogan.
An amber weather warning will be in force until 9pm and we can expect:
There is a good chance that flying debris could result in a danger to life
Damage to buildings and homes is likely, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down
Roads, bridges and railway lines are likely to close, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights
There is a good chance that power cuts, possibly prolonged, could occur , perhaps affecting other services, such as mobile phone coverage
Large waves are likely and beach material is likely to be thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties, and flooding of some coastal properties seems likely.
It is likely there will be falling branches and some uprooted trees
Several flood warnings and alerts are still in force for the north and south Cornwall coasts.
You can check the latest weather warnings on the Met Office website.
You can check the latest flood warnings and alerts on the Environment Agency website.
Record-breaking wind gusts outside of Cornwall
Storm Eunice photos across Cornwall
Covid testing sites closed in Cornwall
Dramatic footage of fallen trees across Cornwall
In Bude...
Near Newquay...
Damage to buildings in Cornwall
More major travel disruption across Cornwall
Fallen trees and power cables have blocked and closed stretches of roads across Cornwall.
That includes the A38 near Liskeard, where a tree has landed on a parked lorry.
Inrix Traffic and Travel said: "A38 Westbound closed. Slow traffic due to fallen power cables and fallen tree from B3252 (Trethawle) to A390 (Island Shop Junction, Liskeard).
"A tree has come down and landed on a parked lorry, also taking down a set of power cables".
Restrictions are still in place on the Tamar Bridge for high-sided vehicles...
You can check all the roads affected by fallen trees, power cables and even a trampoline on our traffic and travel pages.
Weather warning reminder for Cornwall
You can check the latest warnings and forecast for Cornwall on the Met Office website.
Strongest gusts on Isles of Scilly
Storm Eunice hits the coast of Cornwall
In Porthleven...
In St Ives...
In Newquay...
St Michael's Mount closed as storm hits Cornwall
Cornwall's Eden Project closed due to Storm Eunice
Cornwall's Eden Project is apologising to visitors, as it takes the decision to close due to Storm Eunice.
In a statement, bosses said: "Due to the high winds, on safety grounds we have decided to close the Eden Project site to visitors today, Friday February 18th.
"We plan to re-open tomorrow and will update on that on our website, www.edenproject.com and our social media channels.
"We apologise for any inconvenience to visitors who booked to come to Eden today".
Major power cuts across Cornwall
Thousands of homes are currently without power in Cornwall.
Areas near Penzance, Marazion just outside Redruth, near St Columb and Gunnislake are among those worst affected.
You can check the latest power cuts in your area on Western Power's power cuts map.
Flooding reported/expected in Cornwall
Shortly after 7am, Cornwall Council said: "There is some flooding in Looe, with 6 - 10 inches of water expected in the main street.
"Perranporth seafront car park is expected to flood and Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service are in attendance.
"Bude is experiencing higher than normal tide times, with an increase in water level".
Delays and cancellations on the buses in Cornwall
More attractions closed in Cornwall
Hospital appointments cancelled
Widespread travel disruption across Cornwall
Storm Eunice is causing widespread travel disruption across Cornwall.
One lane is closed for safety due to the strengthening winds and restrictions are in place for high-sided vehicles.
On the roads, Inrix Traffic and Travel says the A3058 is partially blocked at Quintrell Downs due to a fallen tree.
It also reporting a fallen tree having partially blocked Moresk Road in Truro, near to Mill Lane.
On the railways, Great Western Railway has reduced or cancelled some services and branch lines in Cornwall are closed.
You can check the latest traffic and travel updates for Cornwall here.
School closures and public service cancellations
Dozens of schools across Cornwall are closed, due to Storm Eunice and the red weather warning.
Bin collections in the Duchy have also been cancelled on Friday 18th February.
Attractions across Cornwall are closed
Cornwall Council has declared a major incident
'Don't travel unless absolutely necessary' warnings
Flood warnings and alerts in force across Cornwall
Flood warnings are in force for the north coast from Land's End to Bude and for the south coast from Land's End to Lizard point.
You can check the latest flood warnings for Cornwall on the Environment Agency's website.
Met Office red weather warning for Cornwall
You can check the latest warnings and forecast for Cornwall on the Met Office website.