At 10.50am on Thursday 17th February 2022, the Met Office issued a rare RED weather warning for an area of South West England that includes Bradley Stoke at its north-east-most extent.
The warning stated that ‘Storm Eunice‘ is expected to cause “significant disruption” and “dangerous conditions” due to extremely strong winds between 7am and 12noon on Friday 18th February 2022.
Weather warning details
What to expect
- Flying debris resulting in danger to life
- Damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down
- Roads, bridges and railway lines closed, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights
- Power cuts affecting other services, such as mobile phone coverage
- Large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and homes
Further details
Extremely strong west to southwesterly winds will develop mid morning on Friday, transferring eastwards across southern and southeast England through the middle of the day then slowly easing from the west during the afternoon. Gusts of 60-70 mph are likely widely, perhaps briefly 80 mph in a few places, mainly on English Channel coasts.
More information and useful links
- Met Office Weather Warnings
- Stay Safe in a Storm (Met Office)
- Service disruption due to Storm Eunice (SGC)
- South Gloucestershire Council on Twitter
- National Highways: South-West on Twitter
- The Severn Bridges on Twitter
- First West of England on Twitter
- Power cut information (Western Power Distribution)
Latest updates
Listed in reverse chronological order within each sub-section. If you have information to share, please scroll down and leave a comment.
Waste bin & recycling collections
REMINDER: If your black bin was not emptied on Friday 18th February due to Storm Eunice, up to 2 extra bags of waste will be taken on your next black bin collection day (Friday 4th March).
REMINDER: If your black bin was not emptied on Friday 18th February due to Storm Eunice, up to 2 extra bags of waste will be taken on your next black bin collection day (Friday 4th March). https://t.co/KU9A6weo6J #StormEunice pic.twitter.com/vGZKdIO6BA
— BradleyStokeJournal (@TheBSJournal) March 3, 2022
Due to Storm Eunice, waste and recycling collections will not take place in South Gloucestershire tomorrow (Friday 18th February), and all four Sort It recycling centres will be closed for the day.
“To minimise further disruption to the service, we will not run catch up collections next week. Affected collections will be take place on your next collection day – Friday 25th February for recycling and Friday 4th March for black bins.”
“We will collect extra recycling next week and up to 2 extra black bin bags on your next black bin collection day.”
Due to Storm Eunice, waste and recycling collections will not take place tomorrow (Fri 18 Feb), and all four Sort It recycling centres will be closed for the day. Visit https://t.co/WGi8SvLZpX for more information.
Thank you for patience. pic.twitter.com/dQ126B8p6b
— South Glos Council (@sgloscouncil) February 17, 2022
Bus services
First is operating all services today (Saturday 19th February 2022), but the 73, M1 MetroBus and T1 are among the services following diversions in Bristol city centre following #StormEunice.
We are operating all Saturday services today, however, following storm Eunice yesterday, a number of routes are diverted due to fallen trees and damaged buildings. Areas affected include Bristol city centre and Weston town. Please check here for details: https://t.co/hF9IXKDGYd pic.twitter.com/Kb6k4FIazr
— First West of England (@FirstBSA) February 19, 2022
All First bus services are now suspended until tomorrow morning (Saturday 19th February 2022).
All services (INCLUDING BATH) are suspended until tomorrow. Trees and power cables have fallen across routes, plus damaged buildings are making areas unsafe. For the safety of customers, other road users, and staff, we feel this is the sensible decision. https://t.co/i9x7LmqlA7 pic.twitter.com/3XDSA02S3u
— First West of England (@FirstBSA) February 18, 2022
First West of England buses now suspended until “at least 4pm” today (Friday 18th February 2022).
With extremely high winds forecast to continue into the afternoon, all services currently suspended will continue to be until at least 4pm. We will assess the situation throughout the day and hope to provide another update at 2pm. More info at https://t.co/i9x7LmqlA7 pic.twitter.com/1QikmMz8wJ
— First West of England (@FirstBSA) February 18, 2022
First West of England bus services WILL NOT be running until at least 1pm on Friday 18th February. Services will continue to run as normal for the rest of this evening (Thursday 17th February).
Met Office have issued a red weather warning across the West of England. As a result, many of our bus services WILL NOT be running until at least 1pm on Friday 18 February. For more information please visit https://t.co/i9x7LmqlA7 pic.twitter.com/88CXMcRuVI
— First West of England (@FirstBSA) February 17, 2022
Leisure centres
Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre (and all other Active Lifestyle Centres) will be closed on Friday 18th February 2022.
TEMPORARY CENTRE CLOSURES ON FRIDAY 18 FEB DUE TO STORM EUNICE🍃 For the safety of our customers and staff, all Active Lifestyle Centres will be closed on Friday 18th February until 3pm. If you have pre-booked and paid for an activity prior to 3pm, we will be in touch. Stay safe pic.twitter.com/dwGZccAWEB
— Active Centres (@ActiveCentres) February 17, 2022
Schools and colleges
“All Olympus Trust schools will be closed tomorrow following advice from South Gloucestershire Council. Ensuring the safety of our students and staff is our priority.”
All Olympus Trust schools will be closed tomorrow following advice from South Gloucestershire Council. Ensuring the safety of our students and staff is our priority. pic.twitter.com/YNocTNxlRO
— Olympus Academy Trust (@olympustrust) February 17, 2022
Bradley Stoke Community School will be closed on Friday 18th February 2022.
Due to the serious Red weather warning the local authority have recommended that the school is closed tomorrow, Friday 18th February. Secondary students are expect to attend online leaning. pic.twitter.com/8nXpIULSRo
— Bradley Stoke CS (@bradleystokecs) February 17, 2022
All SGS College sites will be closed on Friday 18th February 2022, “with learning flipped online”.
College Closure Fri 18 Feb – Due to the MET Office issuing a Red Storm Warning we are making the decision to close tomorrow with learning flipped online. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience or disruption caused however your safety must always be our priority.
— SGS College (@sgs_college) February 17, 2022
Emergency services
“Please only phone 999 if there is an immediate risk to safety such as a fallen live power cable,” say Avon and Somerset Police.
We’re currently receiving a high number of #StormEunice related calls.
Please only phone 999 if there is an immediate risk to safety such as a fallen live power cable.
You can report trees fallen on to a major road to @HighwaysSWEST and on local roads to your local authority. pic.twitter.com/NvhSD8FMF1
— Avon and Somerset Police (@ASPolice) February 18, 2022
“Be prepared and know your services,” says Avon Fire & Rescue Service.
With #StormEunice arriving tonight, be prepared and know your contacts.
⛈️Weather: @metoffice
🚗Roads: @HighwaysSWEST
🏛️Councils: @NorthSomersetC @BristolCouncil @bathnes @sgloscouncil
🚿Water: @BristolWater @wessexwater
🍃Enviro:@EnvAgencySW
🚓Police:@ASPoliceStay safe. pic.twitter.com/JViw5Udwyl
— Avon Fire & Rescue Service (@AvonFireRescue) February 17, 2022
Storm Eunice has been declared a major incident by the Avon and Somerset Local Resilience Forum due to the potential for severe disruption.
A red weather warning is in place for 90mph winds 7am to noon Fri 18 Feb.
Storm Eunice could cause significant disruption & dangerous conditions along the west coast/Bristol Channel.
Please avoid non-essential travel & tune into local bulletins.
More: https://t.co/piNWuvDadh pic.twitter.com/NppgRyvVxg— Avon and Somerset Police (@ASPolice) February 17, 2022
Libraries
Bradley Stoke Library and all other libraries in South Gloucestershire will be closed on Friday 19th February 2022.
❗️⚠️Due to #StormEunice all #SouthGlos libraries will be closed on Fri 18 Feb (including OpenAccess).
Library services will return to usual on Sat 19 Feb.
For essential local info see https://t.co/AdKF325N6g
— South Glos Libraries (@Southgloslibs) February 17, 2022
Roads
The Severn Bridges tweeted at 4.54pm on Friday 19th February 2022: “#M4 #PrinceOfWalesBridge has now reopened in both directions. However the #M48 #SevernBridge will remain closed at this time as it requires a more detailed Inspection and we still require wind speeds to drop further before this can be done.”
#M4 #PrinceOfWalesBridge has now reopened in both directions.
However the #M48 #SevernBridge will remain closed at this time as it requires a more detailed Inspection and we still require wind speeds to drop further before this can be done.
Thank you for your patience. pic.twitter.com/umeYFONyKF
— The Severn Bridges (@2SevernBridges) February 18, 2022
The Severn Bridges tweeted at 10.59am on Friday 19th February 2022: “For what we believe is the first time due to wind speeds both the #M4 Prince of Wales Bridge and #M48 Severn Bridge are closed to all traffic. Traffic Management teams are heading to site to initiate the closure of the M4. Please do not travel to the location.”
For what we believe is the first time due to wind speeds both the #M4 Prince of Wales Bridge and #M48 Severn Bridge are closed to all traffic. Traffic Management teams are heading to site to initiate the closure of the M4. Please do not travel to the location. pic.twitter.com/gATR5LetK7
— The Severn Bridges (@2SevernBridges) February 18, 2022
The Severn Bridges (M4 & M48): “Please plan for the worst case scenario as there is a very high risk that both the #SevernBridge and the #PrinceOfWalesBridge will be closed [on Friday 18th February 2022].”
🔴🔴🔴#HighWinds expected tomorrow following the issue of a red warning from the MetOffice for #StormEunice – Please plan for the worst case scenario as there is a very high risk that both the #SevernBridge and the #PrinceOfWalesBridge will be closed. pic.twitter.com/z84PQIDzcd
— The Severn Bridges (@2SevernBridges) February 17, 2022
Bradley Stoke Town Council
All town council sites will be closed on Friday 18th February 2022 “due to adverse weather conditions”.
Healthcare services
North Bristol NHS Trust: “We are planning to run our services as normal on Friday 18th February, but ask patients and visitors to only travel to hospital if it is safe to do so amid the severe weather forecast. Procedures and appointments are expected to go ahead as normal. With strong winds predicted to cause significant disruption, we ask patients to check the latest Met Office forecast, plan journeys carefully and only travel if it is safe to do so. If you are forced to reschedule an appointment or procedure, please call your medical team.”
1/2 We are planning to run our services as normal on Friday 18th February, but ask patients and visitors to only travel to hospital if it is safe to do so amid the severe weather forecast.
Procedures and appointments are expected to go ahead as normal. pic.twitter.com/tWazRvKGMJ
— North Bristol NHS (@NorthBristolNHS) February 17, 2022
Met Office
A Rare Red Weather Warning has been issued as #StormEunice is expected to bring extremely strong #winds and continued disruption for much of the UK on Friday.
A Rare Red Weather Warning ⚠️ has been issued as #StormEunice is expected to bring extremely strong #winds and continued disruption for much of the UK on Friday. Read our latest news release for more information 👇🏼📰
— Met Office (@metoffice) February 17, 2022
Weather forecast
Storm damage
Fallen tree in Little Stoke Lane, Little Stoke.
STORM DAMAGE: A forked tree trunk which fell across Little Stoke Lane this morning, blocking the road, has now been cleared.
SGC says it had 21 reports of fallen trees across the whole of South Gloucestershire between 8.30am and 1pm today (Friday 18th February).#StormEunice pic.twitter.com/dx8Z86STyP
— StokeGiffordJournal (@TheSGJournal) February 18, 2022
South Gloucestershire Council: “Our teams have been tackling storm damage around South Glos this morning – we had 21 reports of fallen trees between 8.30am and 1pm.”
Our teams have been tackling storm damage around South Glos this morning – we had 21 reports of fallen trees between 8.30am and 1pm.
To report fallen trees or other obstructions please go to https://t.co/tXvFamGkpX pic.twitter.com/TRuuXOwVSh
— South Glos Council (@sgloscouncil) February 18, 2022
Storm Eunice in the news
- 18th February 2022 | BBC News
Storm Eunice leaves trail of destruction across West - 18th February 2022 | BBC News
Storm Eunice: Record wind gust amid disruption - 17th February 2022 | BBC News
Storm Eunice heads for UK and prompts danger to life warning - 17th February 2022 | Met Office
Red Weather Warning issued for Storm Eunice
After the storm
Selected pages from the Journal’s A-Z Directory of local tradespersons and services:
- Garden Services (for fencing repairs)
- Property Maintenance
- Roofing Services
- Satellite, TV and Aerial Installers