Summary

  • Weather warnings are in place across the East of England due to Storm Ciarán

  • The most severe weather was expected in Essex, but an amber warning for very strong winds has now been downgraded

  • A yellow warning for strong winds or heavy rain is in place in Buckinghamshire, Norfolk and Suffolk

  • More than 70 schools have been closed in Suffolk, and a handful in Norfolk

  • Hundreds of homes were without power in Norfolk, and some in Suffolk

Live Reporting

By Laurence Cawley, Alex Pope, Katy Prickett and Rachael McMenemy. Edited by Richard Haugh

  1. More than a dozen schools closed in Suffolk

    Kelly McCormack
    BBC Radio Suffolk

    The impact of the storm is now being felt in Suffolk.

    There are four flood alerts in place and 17 schools, so far, have been closed.

    They are as follows:

    • Alde Valley Academy
    • Bungay High School
    • Castle East
    • Creeting St Mary Primary School
    • Debenham High School
    • Earl Soham Community Primary School
    • Mendlesham Primary School
    • Rattlesden Primary School
    • SET Beccles School
    • SET Saxmundham School
    • Sir John Leman High School
    • Sir Robert Hitcham School, Debenham
    • Stone Lodge Academy
    • Stonham Aspal Primary School
    • Stradbroke Primary School
    • Thorndon Primary School
    • Worlingworth Primary School

    A full list can be found on Suffolk County Council's website.

  2. Shipment of redundant trains delayed

    Andrew Turner
    BBC Radio Norfolk

    A shipment of redundant trains from Great Yarmouth’s port has been delayed because of the strong winds.

    The cargo of 27 carriages and locomotives had been due to sail on Wednesday for Africa.

    The master of the ship, the Panthera.J, ordered nothing was to be lifted as winds developed.

    I was told Peel Ports was planning to close the outer harbour to all personnel as a precaution, owing to risks caused by forecast 60mph winds.

    The shipment of trains is now likely to be loaded on Friday, depending on conditions.

  3. Orwell Bridge remains closed

    The Orwell Bridge, on the A14 in Suffolk, remains closed in both directions due to the forecast of strong winds, National Highways has said.

    There are delays of about 10 minutes and about one mile of congestion on the approach to both closures.

    Diversion routes are in place.

    Orwell Bridge, SuffolkNational Highways

  4. What can we expect from Storm Ciarán in the East?

    BBC Look East weatherman Dan Holley says people should expect between 15-25mm of rain in the eastern counties, with 30-40mm possible in a few places.

    He says winds are likely to remain strong throughout Thursday before easing tonight.

  5. Council highways teams have been getting ready for Storm Ciarán

    Norfolk County Council was busy yesterday working to shore up its out of hours resources ahead of today's storm.

    The council says this means getting extra tree surgeons, drainage contractors and tankers on standby should they be needed.

    They have also been visiting sites known to be susceptible to flooding to check their current status.

    In Suffolk, highways teams have been removing or weighing down traffic management ahead of the storm.

    "We have extra teams on duty tomorrow, ready to clear any fallen trees blocking roads," a county council spokesperson said.

    Down in Essex, a spokesperson for Essex Highways said: “Our crews are on standby to respond to incidents on the highways across Essex when Storm Ciarán arrives.

    “We are advising residents across the county to take extra caution when travelling on the roads this Thursday, and only travel if necessary."

  6. Welcome to our coverage of Storm Ciarán

    Laurence Cawley
    BBC News

    Good morning and welcome to our coverage of Storm Ciarán.

    From where I am sitting here in Essex, it certainly seems the rain and wind have arrived.

    An amber wind warning, which means there is an increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather, has been issued for the East of England from 06:00 to 17:00 on Thursday.

    Alerts for the Essex coast have been upgraded to amber from 06:00 to 17:00 on Thursday.

    Stay with us as my colleague Alex Pope and I bring you updates throughout the morning as the situation develops.