Storm Eunice: Major incident declared in Cornwall

Devon and Cornwall County Councils have advised people against unnecessary travel

A major incident has been declared in Cornwall after a red weather warning was issued ahead of Storm Eunice.

The Met Office has upgraded its wind warning from amber to red for the north coast of Devon and Cornwall with warnings of "danger to life".

Cornwall Council said it was working with its partners to prepare and was ready to respond to reports of damage.

It comes as both Devon and Cornwall County Councils advised people against unnecessary travel.

Cornwall Councillor Martyn Alvey, cabinet member for the environment and climate change, said: "This is still an evolving situation, but we are expecting an extremely powerful winter storm, so our message to residents is to ensure you stay up to date with the forecast, and to avoid all non-essential travel during the storm."

The red warning covers the coastline of Devon, Cornwall and Somerset as well as the south coast of Wales and will be in effect from 07:00 until 12:00 GMT on Friday.

An amber warning remains in place for much of England and all of Wales.

Red warnings for wind have been issued for parts of the South West and Wales

More than 100 schools across Devon and Cornwall have announced that they are not opening on Friday.

Cornwall Council and Torbay Council have said they have activated their emergency protocols to provide accommodation for rough sleepers.

Forecasters said to expect damage to buildings and homes, flying debris and some flooding.

The worst of the winds are set to coincide with high spring tides along the Cornish coastline at about 06:00 GMT leading to overtopping and possible flooding.

Forecasters said the north coasts of Cornwall and Devon could see up to 100mph winds.

What the Met Office says to expect from a red weather warning:

• Flying debris resulting in danger to life

• Damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down

• Uprooted trees are likely

• 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, including flooding of some coastal properties

Go Cornwall Bus has announced that there will be no buses operating on the Transport for Cornwall network, including First Kernow services, before 07:00 GMT on Friday.

It said this was due to safety reasons, however, the situation would be monitored.

Network Rail said all branch lines in Devon and Cornwall would be suspended on Friday with the exception of the Exeter to Exmouth line.

Rob Brekon, from Network Rail, said it had "lots of teams poised with chainsaws" to deal with any mainline issues such as falling trees.

He said main line services would be "vastly reduced".

St Mary's Harbour Master issued a notice to mariners that the harbour in the Isles of Scilly would be closed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the high-water times.

The last time a red warning was issued for the South West was in March 2018 when it was for high winds and snow.

The Dolphin Cafe in Perranporth prepares for the incoming storm

Businesses in Cornwall have been preparing for the bad weather.

Dan Hughes, co-owner of No. 4 Breakfast & Bistro in Perranporth, was getting flood boards ready on Thursday.

"It's quite worrying what the Met Office have said and issued," he told the BBC.

Dan Hughes' restaurant is at risk of flooding from Storm Eunice

"If the drains block it will push it [flood water] through the pipes, straight into the restaurant," Mr Hughes explained.

"We've all got our alarm set to come down at 06:30am (GMT), it's due to happen between 07:00am and 12:00pm so as long as we come down here ready with some brooms, we'll be good."

Tiger Treats in Looe announced on social media it would be closed on Friday, while staff at the Dolphin Cafe boarded its door and put out sandbags on Thursday morning.

The RNLI safety teams were also out in Perranporth offering advice to people ahead of the bad weather.

Tom Bolt (L) from the RNLI was warning people to stay away from the water during the storm

Tom Bolt, from the RNLI, said: "I really would not recommend people go on the cliff tops to watch or get close to the sea, always watch from a distance and do not hesitate to call 999 and ask for the coastguard if anyone is in danger, however, people should not be going in the water in the first place."

All outpatient appointments have been cancelled at Royal Cornwall Hospital on Friday "to keep people safe during the storm", a spokesperson for NHS Kernow said.

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust is asking anyone with an outpatient appointment not to travel to the hospital tomorrow, and someone will call them to rearrange their appointment.

Mid Devon Council has suspended its bin collection services on Friday.

A spokesperson said the decision had been made "in the interests of the welfare and safety of our staff and the public".

Collections that were due in the Willand, Cullompton and Uffculme area will instead be collected on Monday.

Cornwall Council said its household waste recycling centres will be closed on Friday morning.

'Potential to strengthen further'

It has also urged people to prepare for the storm.

A spokesman added: "The storm is likely to be as powerful as those that affected Cornwall in 2014, while forecasters have warned it still has the potential to strengthen further."

Exeter Cathedral has said it will be closing its doors on Friday morning.

It said those who have booked tickets to see the Museum of the Moon installation have been contacted and will be invited to use their tickets to visit at another time.

Organisers said they hoped to be able to reopen safely by 13:00 GMT, but they will continue to monitor the developments of the storm.

The areas expected to be worst hit include:

St Ives Harbour

St Ives, Porthminster Beach

Portreath

Perranporth

Porth

Mawgan Porth

Polzeath

Port Isaac

Widemouth Bay