Prepare for the worst says agency as violent storm looms over Wales

Mar 10 2008 by Sally Williams, Western Mail

A NEAR hurricane-force storm is expected to break coastline flood defences and cause a swathe of damage across Wales today.

The Atlantic “cyclone” that equates to 11 on the Beaufort Scale – one below a hurricane’s 12 – was expected to peak in the early hours of today, before returning with a second wave of potential disruption within 24 hours, the Met Office warned last night.

High tides – the highest predicted this year – are forecast at Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, shortly before 8am, 8.48am at Newport and 9.53am at Barmouth, Gwynedd. This is when the Welsh coastline is most at risk of a sea surge.

The Environment Agency urged people to “prepare for the worst” and to stay away from the coast because the storm – said to be this winter’s worst – combined with this high spring tide could trigger massive waves and flooding.

Pembrokeshire County Council urged residents to be alert, and said there was a possibility of evacuations in high risk flooding areas such as low-lying Newgale.

The council said the Cleddau Bridge is likely to be closed for much of today, while the road at Newgale was to be closed from 6am. Other roads may also be closed.

The cyclone, caused by a swirling deep depression is expected to bring 70mph gales, hail and lightning across the whole of Wales, generating 30 feet-high waves out at sea, making sailing treacherous.

Today’s 2.45am Stena Line ferry crossing between Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, and Ireland’s Rosslare was cancelled yesterday in anticipation.

The Met Office predicted that South Wales and southern England would suffer the brunt of the storm. It issued a severe weather warning, saying power supplies could be disrupted, trees uprooted and buildings damaged, making driving conditions hazardous.

Rachel Vince, senior forecaster at Meteogroup, said heavy rain, gales, hail and lightning would move across the country overnight.

“It’s unlikely we could expect gales as strong as the 1987 one,” she said. “Nevertheless, where you do see the strongest winds you could expect some trees to fall and possibly some structural damage to buildings.”

She added there is a “little bit” of snow expected, but only above 300 metres.

Jonathan Powell, a senior weather forecaster, said disruption is most likely in the south and west of Wales, which would “take the brunt of the cyclone”.

Mr Powell said up to 40mms of rain is expected in 18-hour period from midnight to 6pm today, with sleet and snow mixed in at times.

He added, “There is the potential for flash flooding. Wind strength will surpass 60 mph at times, possibly reaching 70 mph, causing possible structural damage.”

Barry Priddiso, duty watch coastguard manager at Holyhead, Anglesey, said the public and local councils across Wales had been placing sandbags on low-lying flood-prone areas in readiness for the onslaught.

He said, “The scale 11 violent storm could cause 12-metre high waves that could break our coastal flood defences. This is likely to be the worst storm of winter.

“It is being caused by a deep depression and the areas where the isobars are close together indicate the areas that will be worst hit – and that is the whole of Wales.

“If you were to draw a straight line on a map from Anglesey to London, there would be a 70% chance of damage at all areas below that line.

“In 50mph winds people would have to lean into the wind to stay upright but these gales are going to be over 70 mph. This is a serious wind in a pretty nasty storm.

“Although people can be drawn by the awesome sight of nature like a magnet, anyone standing too close to the shoreline and its dramatic waves would be putting themselves in danger.”

John Mosedale, flood risk manager at Environment Agency Wales, said, “We need to prepare for the worst.”

The storm is set to hit Wales in two waves, according to Meteogroup UK, the Press Association’s weather division, with more rain and fierce westerly gusts tonight and tomorrow.

In Gwent, police were visiting the 170 residents at the Lighthouse Park Caravan Site at St Brides, and advising precautionary evacuation.

Residents of the 12 premises on a stretch from Goldcliff to Redcliff were also being urged to evacuate as a precaution, and were being advised on how to protect their houses.

Newport Leisure Centre has been set up as an evacuation centre.

Floodline – 0845 988 1188

How today’s storm rates on the Beaufort Scale of one to 12

11 – Violent storm
64 to 72 mph gales – 56 to 63 knots
Very rarely experienced, the storm is accompanied by widespread damage on land and exceptionally high waves at sea.

12 – Hurricane
73 to 83 mph gales – 64 to 71 knots. Excessive damage.