Storm Eunice: Humber Bridge completely closed for a time

  • Published
Humber Bridge
Image caption,

The Humber Bridge closed at 13:30 GMT but has now reopened for cars

The Humber Bridge was completely closed for only the fourth time in its 40-year history.

The bridge authorities said gusts "in excess of 80mph" had been recorded on the suspension bridge, which reopened to cars only at about 20:30 GMT.

Weather warnings for high winds were in place for East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire due to Storm Eunice.

People have been urged to stay at home and the emergency services have warned of disruption to transport.

The Humber Bridge, external still remains closed to high sided and vulnerable vehicles.

In a previous tweet, external, officials had said the bridge would remain closed to all traffic until the wind speed reduced and thanked people for their patience.

The Ouse Bridge on the M62, between Goole and Howden, was also closed to all vehicles but reopened to cars on Friday night, National Highways said.

That is also still closed to high sided and vulnerable vehicles.

Withernsea storm damageImage source, Christopher Faulker
Image caption,

The strong wind blew this car port away from this house in Withernsea, East Yorkshire causing considerable damage

An amber "be prepared" warning for wind covered Lincolnshire until 21:00 with gusts of up to 80mph expected.

Meanwhile, a yellow "be aware" warning was in place for East Yorkshire until 18:00, advising of gusts up to 70mph.

The warnings had prompted train operators, including Hull Trains, Northern, LNER and East Midlands Railway, to advise passengers against travelling.

Bus companies also warned of disruption to their services.

Brylaine Travel, which runs services on rural routes in Lincolnshire, said it had taken the decision to cancel all its services.

StageCoach East Midlands said it had suspended services in Spalding and Long Sutton.

Map showing weather warnings for Storm Eunice

Lincolnshire Police said its force control room had seen a rising number of emergency calls.

It tweeted, external that there were 100 emergency calls on the 999 number between 13:00 GMT and 15:00 GMT on Friday, compared with 94 between midnight and 13:00 GMT.

Reports of high-sided vehicles being blown over and roads being blocked had also been received, it said.

The force had added staff to the control room and Mike Modder-Fitch, from G4S, whose staff work as call-handlers, said it was not unusual for them to see caller numbers rise by between 10-15%.

"We'd advise people to call us through 101 if there are roads blocked. Obviously, in an emergency, if anyone is in danger, then give us a call on the emergency 999 line," he said.

Tree blocking road Beverley
Image caption,

A number of roads across East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire were blocked due to fallen trees

Lincolnshire Police's assistant chief constable Kerrin Wilson also urged people to secure loose items in their gardens.

"We will see trees, branches and so on coming over. There may well be other flying debris such as if there are loose tiles or chimneys, or loose garden furniture and bins," she said.

Lincolnshire County Council's highways team had also brought in more staff, according to highways manager Richard Fenwick.

He said: "We've got extra emergency gangs, extra tree surgeons available and we've also got extra drainage gangs and gangs that can deliver sandbags if there are any flooding instances where there are risks to life or internal property."

The Environment Agency (EA), has issued flood warnings, external for the Humber Estuary at East and West Hessle foreshores.

The storm is expected to cause waves and spray overtopping on the estuary this evening, the EA said,

A flood warning means "flooding is expected, act now."

Presentational grey line

Follow BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook, external, Twitter, external, and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk, external.

Related topics

Related internet links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.