Live updates: Parts of Dorset issued with red weather warning as Storm Eunice hits the county
By Lottie Welch
18th Feb 2022 | Local News
Live updates as Storm Eunice hits Dorset.
8.28pm
A car has been crushed by a falling tree in Lower Walditch Lane.
8pm
The A352 North Street from Wanchard Lane to Mill Lane is now open.
4pm
Our power has been restored and winds have significantly reduced. The A352 North Street remains closed from Wanchard Lane to Mill Lane due to a fallen tree, but the A35, A3066 and A37 are no longer blocked.
2.59pm
153 emergency call outs registered to Dorset Highways so far - since 9am this morning.
2.30pm
Traffic returned to normal, a tree branch removed from in the road on A35 near A37 (Monkeys Jump Roundabout).
12:48pm
Power cuts are affecting many areas in and around Bridport, including us! We will keep you updated as best as we can.
12:41pm
Here's a list of the latest road closures due to fallen trees. Dorset Council teams are out there working to clear the roads, thank you for your patience.
A3066 Bridport to Beaminster
B3165 Laymore Hollow Way, BothenhamptonA37 at Grimstone
Lower Walditch Lane, BridportTimber Hill, Lyme Regis
A352 at BroadmayneA3066 Beaminster
Totnell, LeighBridport Road, Dorchester
Redbridge Road, CrosswaysRadipole Park Drive, Weymouth
Bincleaves Rd, Weymouth – closed at junction with A354 Wyke due to hanging branch. 12:20pm There have been 112 emergency call-outs registered to Dorset highways so far this morning since 9am. 11:45am Lower Walditch Lane is currently closed due to a fallen tree. It looks as though it has damaged cars parked along the road. 11:37am Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents not to call 999 for fallen trees "unless someone is trapped or in danger". It added: "We expect to be very busy during Storm Eunice, so it's essential that 999 is only used for emergencies. There's information on our website about who to call for storm damage." Power outages across the county are also like to affect traffic lights and pedestrian crossings. Slow down and give way accordingly. 11:30am Travel Dorset reports there have been 66 emergency call-outs registered to Dorset highways since 9am this morning. "Please be patient if you're trying to get through on 01305 221020. We have teams taking calls and working through reports." 11:22am Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks is reporting a power cut in the DT3 area, affecting homes near Portesham, Litton Cheney and Winterbourne Steepleton. It aims to restore power by 11pm. A spokesman said: "Storm Eunice is currently and continues to cause significant impact to the electricity network and our customers' supplies. Due to this we currently cannot guarantee electricity will be restored soon. Our workforce, which was enhanced in preparation for the storm, has been mobilised and we're working hard to restore customer supplies as quickly and safely as possible." 10:50am Travel Dorset reports that wind gusts are at their strongest now. If you do not need to travel, please postpone your journey until it subsides. The A35 is partially blocked at Monkeys Jump roundabout due to a fallen tree. 10:40am A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "We are receiving reports of trees and power cables down across the county, as well as flying debris. Key roads affected include Matchams Lane, Wessex Way, A35 at Bridport, A352 near Whitcombe and the A37. Please only travel if absolutely necessary." 10:28am There are reports of heavy traffic on the A35 at Monkeys Jump roundabout due to a tree branch in the road. 10:07am A fallen tree is blocking the road between Melplash and Beaminster on the A3066. We understand Dorset Council is working to remove it. 09:30am Trees have come down at Groves Nurseries, forcing the garden centre to close until at least 12noon. There are reports the esplanade at West Bay is closed. Please stay away from the coast during the storm. 08:00am Parts of Dorset are now under a red weather warning for wind as Storm Eunice sweeps across the area today (Friday). The Met Office has extended its highest warning - in which flying debris could be a danger to life - to the east of the county, covering parts of Wareham, Ferndown, Purbeck, Poole and Bournemouth. The west of the county, including Bridport, is still under an amber weather warning. Winds could reach as high as 100mph and a flood warning is in place for West Bay Harbour. Water levels are currently extremely high. A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "Storm Eunice is bringing severe gale force winds, large waves and spray overtopping on the Dorset coast early Friday and into Saturday, coinciding with low spring tides. We are expecting this to cause very large and powerful waves along the coast. "Areas most at risk include Esplanade, all harbourside properties and East Beach in West Bay. "We have closed flood gates in West Bay Harbour. We are working with emergency services and local authorities and are closely monitoring the situation. Please stay away from beaches, promenades, coastal footpaths and roads as the expected large waves and sea spray will be dangerous." Schools across the area have been closed, Dorset Council has stopped some if its services and First Wessex has suspended its X53/X51 service until further notice. Police are urging residents are urged to stay inside today and only travel if absolutely necessary. A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "I would like to advise to keep journeys to a minimum and only travel if absolutely necessary. If you have to go out on the road, ensure you keep your speed low and keep distance from other road users, especially cyclists and motor cyclists, who could be at risk from strong gusts. "Ensure that anything in your gardens are secure to prevent them blowing around. "Please stay safe." You can submit your own news straight to Bridport Nub News by using the 'Nub It' button on our home page. This can also be done for events on our What's On page and businesses, groups and organisations on our Local Listings page , also by using the 'Nub It' button. Please like and follow our online newspaper on your favourite social media channel. You can find us @BridportNubNews on Facebook and Twitter.
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