Storm Evert: Met Office warns weather ‘will get worse before it gets better’ as 75mph winds set to hit UK

A weather warning is in place for several areas across the UK
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The Met Office has warned that the weather “will get worse before it gets better” as parts of the UK are braced for high winds and storms.

Storm Evert is expected to hit the South West with winds of up to 75mph, with coastal gales and rain set to affect parts of the country.

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National Trust ranger Seth Jackson looks on as large waves caused by Storm Ellen strike Cornwall in 2020 (Photo by Hugh R Hastings/Getty Images)National Trust ranger Seth Jackson looks on as large waves caused by Storm Ellen strike Cornwall in 2020 (Photo by Hugh R Hastings/Getty Images)
National Trust ranger Seth Jackson looks on as large waves caused by Storm Ellen strike Cornwall in 2020 (Photo by Hugh R Hastings/Getty Images)
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At a glance: 5 key points

- The storm will move across parts of the UK, giving a “wet and windy start” to Friday for the southern and central regions, the Met Office said.

- An amber weather warning has been issued for south-west England.

- The Met Office said Storm Evert will bring strong winds to the region, potentially causing damage to infrastructure and leading to travel disruption.

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- This could include damage to buildings, fallen trees and a “good chance” that power cuts could occur, which could affect other services such as mobile phone coverage.

- The warning, which is currently in place until Friday morning, also says large waves, flying debris and beach material being thrown on to roads and seafronts could lead to injuries or “danger to life”.

What’s been said

“The wind will get worse before it gets better.

“The highest gust of wind is on the Isles of Scilly, which is 45 knots or 52mph.

“There is the potential for 60mph in coastal areas of west Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

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“There is the chance of seeing something a little stronger than that from midnight to 3am, where as per the amber warning, there is the chance of seeing gusts of up to 75mph in one or two very exposed coastal spots, mainly in Cornwall.”

Steven Keates, a meteorologist from the Met Office

Background

On social media on Thursday night, people were sharing videos of heavy rain and large waves as the storm began.

Flooding and stormy weather has led to disruption in some parts of the country.

Cumbria County Council said 14 properties have been evacuated and some roads and footpaths have been closed due to a landslip in Parton, west Cumbria.

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The Environment Agency has six flood alerts for areas including parts of south London and an area on the Isle of Wight.

The naming of Storm Evert comes on the day the Government announced that more than £860 million is to be invested in flood prevention schemes across the UK over the next year.

Evert is the first storm to be named in the month of July by the Met Office’s storm naming group, although named summer storms are not unprecedented.

In 2020, Storm Ellen hit from August 19 to 20, before Storm Francis moved over the UK on August 25.

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