Storm Eunice: Cornwall told only travel if "absolutely necessary"
The council fears it could be as powerful as the Valentine's Day storm of 2014
Last updated 17th Feb 2022
People across Cornwall are being urged not to travel unless "absolutely necessary", as Storm Eunice sweeps towards the UK.
The Met Office says she is expected to cause significant disruption and possibly a danger to life, with a red weather warning in force between 7am and 12pm on Friday.
A wider amber weather warning will remain in place until 9pm, with gusts of up to 90mph to 100mph.
Cornwall Council says the storm is likely to be as powerful as those that affected Cornwall in 2014, while forecasters have warned it still has the potential to strengthen further.
There are fears Eunice could trigger a tidal surge along the north coast - the area covered by the red warning.
The whole of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, in particular the Cornish north coast, are being urged to take extra precautions.
What can we expect from Eunice?
• Extremely high winds, with gusts of up to 80/90mph even 100mph around the coast and beaches especially around high tide.
• Widespread and major disruption to travel, with all forms of travel impacted (road, rail, air, sea, ferry).
• Structural damage.
• Mobile homes being overturned.
• Communications and power outages.
• Fallen trees.
• Very hazardous conditions for the public.
• Temporary structures (e.g. trampolines) being lifted and blown onto roads and railways.
The worst of the winds are set to coincide with high spring tides along the Cornish coastline at around 6am, leading to overtopping and possible flooding.
People are urged to stay back from cliffs and seafronts due to the danger of large waves.
Areas expected to be worst-affected include:
• St Ives Harbour
• St Ives, Porthminster Beach
• Portreath
• Perranporth
• Porth
• Mawgan Porth
• Polzeath
• Port Isaac
• Widemouth Bay
Residents are urged to pay close attention to the weather forecast over the next 24hrs and are urged to only travel on Friday if absolutely necessary.
For advice and guidance on protecting yourself and your home from flooding, please call the Environment Agency’s Floodline on 0345 988 1188.
If you wish to report damage to roads or pavements that is causing an immediate danger, please call the council on 0300 1234 222.
If you find yourself in a situation where you believe you are in danger, please call 999.
The latest warnings and forecast for Cornwall can be found on the Met Office website or you can watch the 10-day forecast below...