Wales and the south of England have been battered by Storm Ciarán, which has caused heavy rainfall, flooding and fierce winds. The Met Office issued a yellow warning for the region, with winds of 102mph in Jersey. The storm has caused travel chaos, with Dover suspending all sailings. More than 300 schools were shut throughout the south, while major incidents were declared in Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Jersey.
In France, many regions were affected by the storm, including Brittany and Normandy. Coastal areas were battered by gale-force winds of 128mph (207km/h), and 1.2 million people are without power due to the storm, as fallen trees brought down power lines and pylons. In Galicia, Spain, the region was on red alert due to heavy rain and gusts of wind of up to 68mph.
Buses, ferries and trains dealt with disruptions in services, while drivers battled with water spray and wind gusts on motorways, with some vehicles brought to a standstill on roads across the area. The Environment Agency reported flooding expected in 82 areas, predominantly on the south coast.
In Jersey, dozens of people had to be evacuated from their homes and relocated to hotels as the strong winds uprooted trees and damaged homes. The Grand Hotel in St Helier suffered damage; one side rendering was ripped away. In Finistère, the worst damage has been reported, where gusts of 128mph were recorded at Pointe-du-Raz, causing a local prefect to limit traffic from roads to essential transport and emergency services only.
The storm has caused severe disruption in the southern parts of the UK, forcing many people to stay indoors, as it continues to pass through. The safety of commuters and travellers will remain a key priority during this week’s road, train and air travel in regions affected by the storm
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