Storm safety advice

Islanders urged not to travel during wild storm

31 January 2016

Islanders are urged not to travel during the worst of a storm set to batter the Western Isles on Monday.

The Hebrides are forecast to get the brunt of a deepening area of low pressure - named Storm Henry by meteorologists.

Gusts up to 90 mph accompanied by squally wintry showers across the Western Isles are likely to present hazards and create wild seas.

The Met Office issued an amber "be prepared" alert of violent winds between 3pm on Monday and 3am on Tuesday across the Hebrides.

These are the peak times for the Western Isles though, with the storm now forecast to affect much of the UK, a national alert has been announced which extends the end time to 9am Tuesday. Then the alert will be downgraded to a yellow "be aware" warning as gale force winds will continue to affect the islands.

Very large waves are expected to crash over seawalls and causeways, risking flooding of coastal roads, motorists are warned.

Exceptionally strong westerly winds risk creating a storm surge on exposed coasts, piling the sea higher on the incoming lunchtime tide.

Phenomenal sized waves are forecast near the west coast of South Uist and Barra from the afternoon into early Tuesday morning, seafarers are advised.

Hydro engineers are standing-by with power cuts expected in many districts while telecommunications may also be hit.

Western Isles ferry services will inevitably be affected with cancellations and disruptions expected across the Caledonian Macbrayne network.

The Western Isles’ Emergency Planning and Coordinating Group advised people to not to travel during the worst of the storm from the afternoon.

A spokesperson for the emergency co-ordinating group said: "Based on the information available, in respect of this weather warning, the advice would be for people not to travel during these times, due to the risk of wind gusts of 80-90 mph.

"Also very large waves are expected, which may lead to over-topping and localised flooding of coastal roads.

Gales will follow onwards on Tuesday, and islanders are “reminded that an overlapping yellow warning is also currently in place for wind.

"Gusts of 60-70 mph are anticipated quite widely, with gusts to around 80 mph possible, particularly in exposed parts of the northwest."

People are advised to plan appropriately for the approaching weather and "consider the necessity of any travel during this period."

The Met Office said: "Be prepared for transport disruption, difficult driving conditions and possible disruption to power supplies."

Winds should ease early on Tuesday morning as the system clears away to the northeast.