FORECASTERS are warning that an upcoming storm will be worse than first predicted and are urging residents to be prepared.
The Met Office had issued a yellow weather warning for ‘extremely strong winds’, with the alert carrying the service’s ‘danger to life’ warning.
But this has now been upgraded to an amber warning, while a second storm forecast to miss Cheshire and Merseyside has also been updated.
A yellow weather warning for Storm Dudley has been extended southwards to include Cheshire and Merseyside.
This is in force now and will remain in place through to 6am tomorrow, Thursday.
The Storm Eunice amber weather warning will now come into effect from 3am on Friday morning and will continue until 9pm that evening.
The Met Office says the storms will bring a period of ‘very strong winds that could cause significant disruption’.
There is a small chance that flying debris will result in a ‘danger to life’, with fallen trees, damage to buildings and homes, roofs blown off and power lines brought down possible.
Meteorologists also say that there is a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.
Where damaging winds occur, there is a chance that long interruptions to power supplies and other services may occur.
In addition, there is a small chance that roads, bridges and railway lines could close, with long delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights.
A Met Office spokesman said: “Extremely strong winds may develop over south west England early on Friday, before spreading north and east during the day.
“While there is still some uncertainty in the track of Eunice, there is an increasing likelihood of widespread inland wind gusts of 60 to 70mph, and up to 80mph in a few places.
“Around coasts of west Wales and south west England, gusts of 90 or possibly even 100mph are possible.
“Winds are expected to ease across western areas through the afternoon and eastern areas during the evening.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here