Bucks schools announce closures for tomorrow amid predicted Storm Eunice chaos

Residents are being urged to stay home and train services are being cancelled after the Met Office issued the highest level of alert for Storm Eunice in parts of the country.

An amber warning, the second highest alert level, is in place across the whole of England from 5am to 9pm on Friday while a red warning covers the coastline of Devon, Cornwall and Somerset as well as the south coast of Wales and will be in effect from 7am until 12pm on Friday.

Buckinghamshire Council is bracing itself for a busy day of predicted damage and disruption and urged residents in the county to "stay safe" and only go out if completely necessary. 

 

Chiltern Railways has issued a "strong recommendation" not to travel by train on Friday. 

They said: "The Met Office have issued an amber weather warning for the southern half of the UK for this Friday, with very strong winds forecast. 

"Storm Eunice will potentially disrupt train services across much of the UK. As a result, emergency speed restrictions will be in place for much of the day, meaning that trains will have to run much slower than normal.

Bucks Free Press:

"We strongly recommend that customers DO NOT TRAVEL by train on Friday unless their journey is absolutely essential. If you are able, please travel on Thursday 17 or Saturday 19 February instead.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause your journey."

This is what the Met Office says those in the amber warning area - which includes Buckinghamshire - could see tomorrow: 

  • 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