Residents urged to take care as Storm Eunice is forecast to hit the Isles of Scilly on Friday

We urge everyone on the islands not to travel and to avoid going outside during the period covered by the red warning issued by the Met Office. At the time of writing this was between 7am and 12 noon on Friday, 18 February 2022, but you must check the latest information on the Met Office website as conditions may change.

Forecasters from the Met Office have warned that Storm Eunice is expected to cause significant disruption and dangerous conditions due to extremely strong winds on Friday. Residents are urged to pay close attention to the weather forecast. You can view the current weather warnings on the Met Office's website

The storm is likely to be as powerful as the ‘Valentine’s Day’ storm events that affected the islands in 2014.

The worst of the winds are set to coincide with high spring tides, leading to overtopping and possible flooding in low-lying areas around the islands. People are urged to stay back from cliffs and seafronts due to the danger of large waves.

Empty sandbags are being made available for collection from the Waste and Recycling site at Moorwell until 5pm today. There is no need to book an appointment and sand bags are free, but limited to 4 per household.

The whole of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly can expect:

  • 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

For advice and guidance on protecting yourself and your home from flooding, please call the Environment Agency’s Floodline on 0345 988 1188.

If you find yourself in a situation where you believe you are in danger, please call 999.

If you wish to report damage to roads or pavements that is causing an immediate danger, please call the Council Duty Phone on 07584 238 510.

If you experience a power outage, you can call Western Power on 105.

If your water supply is affected or you have issues with sewerage, please call South West Water on 0344 346 2020.

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UPDATE: 16:41, 17 February 2022

The Environment Agency have advised that flooding is expected for the Isles of Scilly including St Mary's, St Agnes, Bryher, Tresco and St Martin's. Forecast tide levels and sea conditions for the Isles of Scilly are likely to cause impacts including damage and flooding to property.

We have cancelled all waste collections for Friday 18 February so residents should not put their bins out for collection. The Waste & Recycling Centre, will also be closed. Friday's collections will be made on Monday.

Council premises including the Carn Gwaval Wellbeing Centre, gym, sports hall and library will be CLOSED from 8.30am to 12noon on 18 February. Our usual contact numbers will not be in operation during that time.

As a precaution, Old Town road has been closed. We will review the situation in the morning and reopen the road as soon as it is safe to do so.

Publishing date: 
Thursday, 17 February, 2022