Power cuts as wind and rain lashes Devon and Cornwall

» Power cuts as wind and rain lashes Devon and Cornwall


Georgina Barnes

BBC News, South West

Bee Tucker

BBC South West broadcast meteorologist

BBC Weather Watchers/Chris Fletcher A massive wave crashing up against a tower in the sea. BBC Weather Watchers/Chris Fletcher

A yellow warning for wind is in force in Devon and Cornwall until 11:00 GMT

More than 3,700 properties are without power in Devon and Cornwall amid strong winds.

A Met Office yellow warning for wind is in force in Cornwall until 11:00 GMT, while a separate yellow warning for rain is in place in both counties until 06:00 on Monday.

National Grid said more than 2,000 properties in Cornwall and more than 1,000 in Devon were without power.

A gust of 79mph (127km/h) was recorded in St Mary’s in the Isles of Scilly.

A381 Thurlestone

Trees have fallen and are blocking roads like this one on the A381 in Thurlestone

A Ryanair flight that was expected to land at Cornwall Airport Newquay at 07:35 was diverted to London Gatwick, with other flights delayed, said the airport.

At Exeter Airport flights to and from Belfast and Jersey have been cancelled.

On the roads a fallen tree has blocked the A39 at Falmouth Melvill Road, between Holywell Road and Mill Lane and westbound at Camelford.

A tree has also fallen in the north-bound carriageway of the A380 Telegraph Hill, said Devon Highways.

National Rail said there would be no trains to and from Newquay until about 13:00 GMT.

BBC Weather Watchers/Mousehole Pat Strong waves seen off the coastline in Cornwall with houses in the foregroundBBC Weather Watchers/Mousehole Pat

Strong waves were seen along the coastline in Cornwall

The strongest gusts so far have been recorded in St Mary’s in the Isles of Scilly 79mph (127km/h) and at Berry Head in Devon 68mph (109km/h).

Much of Cornwall is gusting over 60 mph (96km/h).

It is expected the strongest winds will transfer eastwards in the next few hours.

While the peak gusts are expected earlier in the day, it is still expected to remain windy.

Tamar Bridge was closed to high-sided vehicles but it has since reopened, Tamar Crossings said on X.

A weather map showing wind gusts in Devon and Cornwall

Maggie Howell from Falmouth Coastguard said people should stay away from coastal areas.

“Further out at sea it might have had worse conditions, but it’s looking really, really bad out here this morning,” she said.

“Don’t go trying to go wave watching or anything like that because not only are you risking yourself, you’re also risking the people that will come out and try to help if you get into trouble.”

Great Western Railway is advising passengers to check before they travel and take extra care while travelling to and from stations.

Morva A road closed off with a fire engine at the front and buildings on the road behind.Morva

Cobble Corner in Devon has been closed

Devon Highways advised drivers to be alert for any fallen trees and potential flooding.

Andy Cole, from Devon Highways, said: “On our minor network there’s a bit of risk on those corners, those blind bends where you come across some debris, a tree branch or even a tree or flood water.

“We just ask the drivers to take extra time, to take extra care and just be aware of what could be around the corner.”

Paddy Cochran, also from the coastguard, added: “We’ve seen the destructive force over the last couple of days, with a number of caravan parks getting properly smashed and all these kind of mini tornadoes running through villages and stuff like that, so just exercise caution and no unnecessary risk please.”

On Monday, it is expected the winds will once again pick up, potentially gusting 60-70mph (96-112 km/h) for the duration of the day.



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