West Country's disruption and power cuts amid Storm Éowyn

A flooded country road with construction barriers submerged in the waterImage source, Daniel Wakeman
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Flood warnings are in place in Somerset and Wiltshire

  • Published

A number of area are at risk of flooding, a number of roads have been blocked and hundreds of homes were without power across the West Country as Storm Éowyn batters parts of the UK.

Police warned early of fallen trees on a number of A-roads, while the M48 Severn Bridge was closed due to high winds.

Bristol Airport has cancelled a number of flights throughout the day to Ireland and Scotland.

The entire region has been covered by a Met Office yellow weather warning for high winds, with some delays to travel expected.

Large waves and a high tide batter the promenade on Clevedon sea front. The tide is very high up against the piece and flags on flag poles are shown blowing in the wind. Spray from the sea is seen over the pavement and road. Image source, AFP
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The entire West Country is under a yellow weather warning for wind

Flood warnings are in place in Salisbury where properties near the River Bourne and River Avon could be at risk of flooding.

Meanwhile high water levels are expected to cause flooding around the River Parrett from South Perrott to Thorney and on the River Yeo between Sherbourne and Yeovil.

Flood alerts are also in place for a number of locations across Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

Thousands of residents were also left without power, with outages reported widely across the region.

Power cuts affected hundreds of properties at the peak of reported problems earlier, but the majority of these homes have now been reconnected.

A picture, taken in the dark, of a large fallen branch blocking a cycle path. Image source, Sara Smith
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A large fallen branch has blocked a cycle route in south Bristol

There has also been disruption on roads across the area.

Lower Hanham Road in Hanham is reportedly closed to both cars and pedestrians due to a fallen mains electricity cable, causing delays to traffic.

In Gloucestershire, the 33 bus is also being diverted due to a fallen tree on Dean Common Road, Mitcheldean.

Avon and Somerset Police said earlier that the A38 in Barrow Gurney, near Bristol Airport, the westbound side of the A39 at Cannington and the westbound side of the A303 near South Petherton had been closed due to fallen trees overnight.

The A433 near Westonbirt Arboretum, between Bowldown Road and the A46 was also closed in both directions due to a fallen tree.

However all of these routes are now believed to be back open.

Meanwhile the M48 Severn Bridge was closed in both directions and one lane on the M5 southbound between Junction 19 and Junction 20 was closed due to surface water.

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