Red weather warning issued for Medway

Published: Friday, 18th February 2022

UPDATED AT 2PM: The Met Office has issued a red weather warning for wind, alongside an amber warning, across parts of England, including the south-east and Medway on Friday, 18 February.

Storm Eunice is expected to bring a period of very strong winds which could cause significant disruption.

The Met Office has issued a red weather warning across the south east between 10am and 3pm and an amber warning has been in place since 5am and is in place until 9pm. 

Where gusts are the strongest, The Met Office is predicting that flying debris may pose a danger to life, with fallen trees, damage to buildings and homes and power lines brought down by the winds.

There is also a good chance that roads, bridges and railway lines could close with delays and cancellations to buses and trains and that power cuts may occur.

It is likely that the winds may cause uprooted trees and falling branches and residents are encouraged to call 01634 333333, during normal working hours, or 01634 304400 after hours, in an emergency, to report any fallen trees Storm Eunice may cause.

Council services affected 

Storm Eunice has affected some council services:

  • Rochester Castle is closed today, due to Storm Eunice and the dangerous weather conditions
  • All COVID-19 symptom-free testing sites are closed today. This includes pop-up testing sites as well as our collection only sites at Twinkleton's, Chattenden and the Oast. Our PCR testing sites are temporarily closed and the walk-in vaccine buses will not be operating. PCR testing at Jellicoe testing site, University of Greenwich will not go ahead
  • Household Waste and Recycling Centres are now closed until further notice
  • Cuxton, Hempstead and Walderslade Hook Meadow libraries will not open this afternoon and Rainham libraries will close at 2pm. All other libraries and community hubs remain open and residents can renew their books online. 
  • Please check local travel services for updates, before deciding to travel today
  • All youth centre sessions, including drop-ins, at Parkwood, Strood and WREC are cancelled 
  • Emergency accommodation is also available for rough sleepers during the day today, as well as this evening and over the weekend. 
  • Council housing: Our contractor, Mears, is prioritising emergency repairs during. If you are a council tenant, you can report a repair on 01634 333601 or freephone 0800 073 0073. Please only report emergency issues at this time due to high demand. Thank you for your understanding. 

Due to severe weather our telephone lines are very busy, please only call us if it is urgent.

Please check back for updates throughout the day.

During the storm

  • Stay indoors as much as possible
  • If you do go out, try not to walk or shelter close to buildings and trees
  • Keep away from the sheltered side of boundary walls and fences - if these structures fail, they will collapse on this side
  • Do not drive unless your journey is really necessary or take extra care when driving on exposed routes such as bridges, or high open roads, delay your journey or find alternative routes if possible
  • Slow down and be aware of side winds, particular care should be taken if you are towing or are a high sided vehicle

Keep up-to-date with the Met Office’s latest weather forecast and weather warnings

Travel

  • National Highways– in collaboration with the Met Office, has issued a severe weather alert for strong winds covering several areas, including the South East, between 6am and 6pm on Friday. It means high-sided vehicles, caravans and motorbikes could be blown over on specific stretches of road including, in Kent, the: A2 Jubilee Way close to Dover; M2 J2-J3 Medway Viaduct; A249 Kings Ferry / Sheppey Crossing, and A282 QE2 Bridge / Dartford Bridge. The QEII Bridge is now closed.
  • Southeastern trains – Read the latest from Southeastern.
  • Arriva bus services have been suspended - check social media accounts before travelling
  • Cross-channel routes – anyone booked to travel to and from France via Port of Dover or Eurotunnel on Friday should keep in touch with their operator. Full contact details are here: Eurotunnel; P&O Ferries and DFDS. Freight drivers heading to cross-channel ferries and shuttles should check with their operators and follow instructions from overhead signs on the motorway.

Power

  • UK Power Networks – say it is possible there will be outages across Kent and Medway and high winds will likely mean it won’t be safe for crews to start carrying out repairs to restore power until later Friday afternoon. Vulnerable customers will be prioritised but anyone who suffers a power cut can contact UK Power Networks by calling 105.
  • Gas leak – if you suspect a gas leak, call the National Grid emergency line on 0800 111 9999.

On the coast

  • Environment Agency – some flood alerts are in place and the strongest Eunice winds, potentially over 80mph, will be experienced in coastal and exposed areas. The EA is warning that large waves are likely and beach material could be thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and paths and properties. Wave watching and posing for storm selfies could put you, and others, including the emergency services, in danger. In the event of flooding, call the Environment Agency on 0800 807060.

In an emergency

  • Call 999

Health

  • NHS – the vaccination bus scheduled to be at Asda in Chatham on Friday has been cancelled.

Batten down the hatches at home

  • Look out for elderly and vulnerable neighbours, particularly if there are power losses where you live, and
  • Lock shed doors and secure garden furniture, trampolines, wheelie bins and other outdoor items that could blow away in strong winds.

Businesses 

  • Secure any street furniture like tables, chairs, and
  • Secure or bring signage at the front of premises inside so it doesn’t pose a risk to others.

Met Office's advice for after a storm

  • Be careful not to touch any electrical/telephone cables that have been blown down or are still hanging
  • Do not walk too close to walls, buildings and trees as they could have been weakened
  • Make sure that any vulnerable neighbours or relatives are safe and help them make arrangements for any repairs
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