Fury of Storm Ciaran: 104mph winds smashes roofs while downpours flood roads and send cars into the sea

2 November 2023, 14:15 | Updated: 2 November 2023, 14:21

Storm Ciaran has rolled inStorm Ciaran has rolled in. Picture: Alamy/Getty/Sidmouth Town CouncilFacebook share X share

Storm Ciaran has been wreaking havoc in the UK on Thursday, with winds of over 100mph tearing across parts of the country, causing power cuts, train and flight cancellations and school closures. Loading audio…

A major incident was declared for Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Jersey as schools shut and commuters faced severe disruption, with commuters in the south being urged not to travel on Thursday.

Authorities put 79 flood warnings in places across England on Thursday afternoon, meaning flooding is expected, and 195 flood alerts, where it is possible. Wales put 13 flood warnings in place, with Scotland flagging seven.

Jersey has seen some of the worst of the disruption so far, with windows smashed and roofs damaged by golf ball-sized hailstones amid gusts of 104mph.

Several people have been taken to hospital.

Hundreds of schools in southern England were shut amid the storm, with massive travel disruption on motorways and railways. Southampton Airport and several other airports cancelled flights, while services were also suspended from the Port of Dover.

Follow the latest Storm Ciaran Live updates: ‘Don’t go outside’ warning as gales of 100mph hit[1]

Buildings in Jersey have been damagedBuildings in Jersey have been damaged. Picture: Submitted

Several people had to be rescued from cars in flooded roads in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, while a car was washed into the sea in Devon.

Carl Walker, 45, from the Jersey town of St Helier, said no one had expected the storm to be as bad as it had been, adding that it was “like a disaster movie”. Guernsey today.

Posted by Andrew Bellingham on Thursday, November 2, 2023[3][4]

Mr Walker and his family were woken by were woken by huge hailstorms at midnight, which he said were “marble-sized” and had gelled together to create “golf ball sized lumps of ice”.

“We camped out in our living room downstairs with our children because it was just simply too noisy and too frightening to be upstairs in the bedrooms – tiles were lifting, debris was hitting the roof, windows were flexing,” he added.

Debris strewn across Jersey's streets as Storm Ciaran rolled inDebris strewn across Jersey’s streets as Storm Ciaran rolled in. Picture: Submitted

“The noise of the wind was just incredible and quite frightening.

It was like a scene from a disaster movie.”

He added: “The area is scattered with debris, whether it be roof tiles, bits of masonry, large pieces of trees and I think the authorities here are doing what they can to focus on opening up the main roads and help people whose homes have been ruined by (the storm).”

Another Jersey resident, Suzie Phillips, said: “The hailstones were quite a bit heavier and bigger than a golf ball and we’ve had three windows damaged by them – in my daughter’s bedroom, a landing and a bathroom,” she said.

Police in Jersey urged people to stay indoors and said they had taken more than 100 calls to 999. Dozens of people were taken to hotels as their homes were damaged. One video showed cars smashed amid uprooted trees and debris.

Roofs in Jersey have been damaged by the stormRoofs in Jersey have been damaged by the storm. Picture: Submitted

UK Power Networks worked overnight to restore more than 16,500 power supplies across the south-east.

But about 7,000 homes were cut off from power in Cornwall, a local councillor said, as gusts of more than 100mph hit the south-west,

A severe amber weather[5] warning for wind was put in place from 3am on the southwest coastline, covering Plymouth and Exeter, running until 11am.

Meanwhile, a separate weather warning for wind, covering the southern and southeastern coastline, was given for Portsmouth, Brighton and Canterbury.

Huge waves batter Folkestone as Storm Ciaran hitHuge waves batter Folkestone as Storm Ciaran hit. Picture: Alamy

Elsewhere, a rain warning covering the north-east coast from Hull up to Aberdeen is set to last until 6am on Friday.

The storm has caused major travel disruption across much of southern England.

On the roads, extra tankers have been deployed to clear excess surface water in Kent, and crews have removed ‘several’ fallen trees on the roads.

Elsewhere, flooding has caused problems on the M23 near Crawley near Gatwick, and workers have been carrying out emergency repairs on the A29 in Bognor Regis, which have closed the road.

Structures in Jersey have been badly damagedStructures in Jersey have been badly damaged. Picture: Submitted

Emergency services workers have had to rescue people from cars stuck in flooded roads across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

One man had to be taken to hospital after his car went 150ft down an embankment, when he lost control after ploughing through a four-foot-deep puddle on the A303 in Hampshire. Sixteen firefighters needed 45 minutes to rescue him from his vehicle.

An unattended car was washed into the sea in Sidmouth, in Devon.

Sidmouth Town CouncilSidmouth Town Council. Picture: Sidmouth Town Council

Two buses were struck by debris in Capel-le-Ferne in Kent, with local services disrupted. No-one was injured.

Southern Rail urged commuters to work from home while Southeastern said passengers should not travel in and out of London before 9am while they check for fallen trees and debris on the line.

Ciaran has hit BournemouthCiaran has hit Bournemouth. Picture: Alamy

Services have been suspended on parts of the Southeastern network between Canterbury and Dover because of a fallen tree, and a landslide has meant that Southern services between Redhill and Tonbridge have also had to be suspended.

South Western Railway is also running a reduced service between Weymouth and Bournemouth due to earlier flooding.

A trampoline was blown onto the line in Hastings, causing further disruption.

A spokesperson on behalf of train operators said: “Our colleagues will be working extremely hard over the coming days to keep passengers on the move but also to keep them safe during this bad weather.

“We will be working closely with Network Rail to understand the impact on the rail network, and we are encouraging passengers to check their journey before travelling.”

Storm Ciaran caused heavy disruption to travel on ThursdayStorm Ciaran caused heavy disruption to travel on Thursday. Picture: Getty

Network Rail said: “Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds in some areas could affect journeys across Wales, the south of England and the Midlands on Thursday, and across the northeast of England and central and eastern Scotland on Thursday and Friday.

“Owing to the adverse weather conditions, passengers should allow extra time for their journeys and check before travelling as services may be disrupted.”

Heathrow, Gatwick, Southampton, Manchester, Bristol and other airports have had to cancel and delay some flights because of the weather.

British Airways has grounded 30 domestic and European flights, which includes two trips to Amsterdam, two to Belfast and two to Paris.

Waves crashing in DoverWaves crashing in Dover. Picture: Alamy[6]

Meanwhile, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines told passengers: “Due to the expected weather conditions at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the runway capacity has been reduced on Thursday 2 November.

“As a result, some of our flights have been cancelled.

We apologise for any inconvenience.”

P&O cancelled ferry services between Dover and Calais, although traffic can now access the port after it was closed earlier.

Dozens of schools across southern England have also had to close because of the storm, with lessons taking place online instead.

Waves crash over Dover harbour wallWaves crash over Dover harbour wall. Picture: Alamy[7]

Officials were forced to close off Brighton city centre because of an unsafe building, while some people are reporting that tap water in Bournemouth and Christchurch is discoloured.

Bournemouth and Boscombe piers have also been forced to close, while the promenade in Bournemouth is covered with sand and debris.

Elsewhere, rivers in Dorset and Devon burst their banks amid torrential downpours.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has urged people watching the conditions to stay away from the coast.

People in several areas across southern England have been warned to stay home because of the weather in order to keep safe.

But Age UK said vulnerable people need “extra support” in storms like Ciaran.

The charity’s director Caroline Abrahams said: “We need to do more in advance and when disasters hit to safeguard older people.”

This general view shows a fallen tree across a vehicle on a street of Le Touquet, northern FranceThis general view shows a fallen tree across a vehicle on a street of Le Touquet, northern France. Picture: Getty[8]

Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Chris Almond, said winds of up to 90mph could hit some parts of the UK.

“Winds associated with Storm Ciaran are likely to gust to 80mph along the south coast of England, with a small risk of somewhere exposed seeing 90mph, and winds could even gust up to 50 or 60 mph further inland,” he said.

“This deep low-pressure system will also bring heavy rain to much of the UK, but the heaviest rain is expected in southern and western areas with 20 to 25mm quite widely across the region but up to 40 to 60mm potentially over higher ground,” Mr Almond continued.

Trucks queue at Dover docksTrucks queue at Dover docks. Picture: Getty[9]

“Heavy and persistent rain will fall onto already saturated ground bringing a risk of further impacts such as flooding in areas that are already struggling to clean up from the heavy rainfall we have seen over the last week or so.”

The storm has also affected the Netherlands and France, with one person killed as of Thursday afternoon.

A car drives along a flooded road in Romsey, southern EnglandA car drives along a flooded road in Romsey, southern England. Picture: Getty[10]

It comes less than two weeks after the UK was battered by Storm Babet[11], which also brought strong winds and heavy rain to the UK.

At least seven people are thought to have died in the storm, which caused the evacuation of an entire town in Scotland.

People are rescued from their holiday chalets by fire and rescue at Freshwater Beach Holiday Park in Burton Bradstock, DorsetPeople are rescued from their holiday chalets by fire and rescue at Freshwater Beach Holiday Park in Burton Bradstock, Dorset. Picture: Getty[12]

Full list of schools closed due to Storm Ciaran:

It comes just weeks after Britain was battered by Storm BabetIt comes just weeks after Britain was battered by Storm Babet. Picture: Alamy

Cornwall

Altarnun Primary School

Camborne School and International Science Academy

Egloskerry SchoolLaunceston Primary School

Marazion School (opening late 10am)

Mousehole School (opening late 9am)

Newlyn School (opening late 9.30am)

Penwith Alternative Provision Academy

St Levan Primary School (opening late 10am)

Stratton Primary School (opening late 10.30-11am)

The Roseland Academy (opening late 10am)

Devon

Plymtree Church Of England Primary School

Woodbury Church Of England Primary School

Southbrook SchoolSt Helen’s Church of England School

Pilton Community College

Uplowman Church Of England Primary School

Halberton Primary School

Hatherleigh Community Primary School

Lady Seaward’s Church of England Primary School

The Topsham School

Clyst Vale Community College

Doddiscombsleigh Primary School

Ashburton Primary School

Brixington Primary Academy

Kenton Primary School

Kenn Church Of England Primary School

Cullompton Community College

Tiverton High School

South Dartmoor Community College

South Molton Community College

Tavistock Primary & Nursery School

Stokenham Area Primary School

Aveton Gifford CofE Primary School

Castle Primary School

Exbourne Church Of England Primary School

Chagford Church Of England Primary School

South Tawton Primary School

Chudleigh Knighton Church Of England Primary School

Uffculme Primary SchoolBere Alston Primary Academy

Great Torrington School

North Tawton Community Primary School and Nursery

Northlew And Ashbury Parochial Church Of England Primary School

Bridgerule Church Of England Primary School

Milton Abbot School

Hazeldown School

Boasley Cross Community Primary School

Tidcombe Primary School

St James Church of England Primary and Nursery School

Bowhill Primary School

Tipton St John Church Of England Primary School

Okehampton Primary School and Foundation UnitColyton Primary Academy

St Mary’s Church of England Primary School, Brixton

Littleham Church of England Primary School

Ashwater Primary School

Bideford College

Halwill Community Primary School

Kings Nympton Community Primary School

Uffculme School

Woodbury Salterton Church Of England Primary School

Farway Church Of England Primary School

Broadhembury Church of England Primary School

Ilfracombe Church Of England Junior School

Winkleigh Primary School

St Michael’s Church of England Primary School

Whitchurch Community Primary School

Hawkchurch Church Of England School

The Lampard Community School

Musbury Primary School

Newton Abbot College

Highweek Community Primary and Nursery School

High Bickington Church of England Primary Academy

Branscombe Church Of England Primary School

Lydford Primary School

Highampton Community Primary School

St Catherine’s CofE Primary School

Sidmouth Church Of England (VA) Primary School

Black Torrington Church Of England Primary School

Pathfield School

Holsworthy Church Of England Primary School

Bradford Primary School

Cockwood Primary School

Tavistock College

Brayford Academy

Bridestowe Primary School

Teignmouth Community School, Mill Lane

Ipplepen Primary School

Teignmouth Community School, Exeter Road

Feniton Church Of England Primary School

Shaldon Primary School

Witheridge Church Of England Primary Academy

St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School

Kingsbridge Community Primary School

Holsworthy Community College

St Thomas Primary School

Alphington Primary School

Mill Water School

Decoy Primary School (partial closure)

Beaford Community Primary & Nursery School

Southampton

Compass School

Fairisle Junior School

St Denys Primary School

Bitterne Park School

Oasis Academy Mayfield

Portswood Primary School

St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School

Cantell School

Maytree Nursery and Infants School

Woolston Infant School

Itchen Sixth Form College

St Mary’s Primary School

St John’s Primary and Nursery School

Weston Shore Infant School

Newlands Primary School

Bassett Green Primary School

Redbridge Primary School

Holy Family Catholic Primary School

Bitterne CE Primary School

Mansel Park Primary School

Bitterne Park Primary School

Sinclair Primary and Nursery School

Bitterne Manor Primary School

Sholing Junior School

Tanners Brook Primary School

Mansbridge Primary School

Shirley Infant School

Shirley Junior School

Harefield Primary School

Beechwood Junior School

Oakwood Primary School

Mount Pleasant Junior School

Regents Park Community College

Banister Primary School

Weston Secondary

Moorlands Primary School

Springwell School

Woodlands Community College

St George Catholic College

St Mark’s School

Bevois Town Primary School

The Cedar School

St Anne’s Catholic School

Nursling Church of England Primary School

Rownhams St John’s CE Primary School

Mason Moor Primary School

Vermont School

References

  1. ^ Follow the latest Storm Ciaran Live updates: ‘Don’t go outside’ warning as gales of 100mph hit (www.lbc.co.uk)
  2. ^ Storm Ciaran batters Britain: Major incident declared and schools shut while 7,000 homes lose power as roofs blown off (www.lbc.co.uk)
  3. ^ Andrew Bellingham (www.facebook.com)
  4. ^ Thursday, November 2, 2023 (graph.facebook.com)
  5. ^ weather (www.lbc.co.uk)
  6. ^ Alamy (www.alamy.com)
  7. ^ Alamy (www.alamy.com)
  8. ^ Getty (www.gettyimages.co.uk)
  9. ^ Getty (www.gettyimages.co.uk)
  10. ^ Getty (www.gettyimages.co.uk)
  11. ^ Storm Babet (www.lbc.co.uk)
  12. ^ Getty (www.gettyimages.co.uk)