Brits are bracing themselves for the worst as Storm Ashley smashes into the UK, unleashing torrential rain, 80mph winds and flooding. The Environment Agency has issued a slew of severe flood warnings – 36 in total – with several areas across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland receiving rare “danger to life” warning due to massive coastal waves and loose beach material.
Hundreds of flood alerts have been issued, sparking fears of travel chaos, while Scotland’s west coast is expected to bear the brunt of the storm, with howling 80mph gusts and a “good chance” of power cuts. Red warnings have been issued for areas including the Cumbrian coastline, Mersey Estuary, River Severn, River Trent, Southern Cornwall coast, Tidal Fal Estuary and Wye Estuary. Flights have been cancelled from Belfast City Airport, as have some ferry services in ferry services in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Initially, an amber Met Office warning was in place for parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, with the storm – named by Met Eireann – expected to hit the Republic of Ireland first. Weather maps reveal the storm vortex sweeping across the Atlantic, hammering Ireland and Northern Ireland’s west coast before making its presence known in Britain.
READ MORE: Exact areas Storm Ashley forecast to hit as Met Office issues amber ‘danger to life’ warning
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As the storm’s centre shifts north and west, the UK will be lashed with high winds, with gusts reaching up to 80mph in Scotland and forecasts predicting gusts of up to 65 mph in Wales and similar wind speeds in north-west England. The winds are expected to intensify throughout the day before easing off on Monday.
The Met Office has issued warnings for high tides, strong winds, large waves, and flooding which began earlier today. Flood warnings are currently in effect, reports the Mirror.
Previously, Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Tony Wisson stated: “Storm Ashley will bring strong winds for most of the UK on Sunday before it clears on Monday, with a chance of some disruption across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Northwest England and West Wales.”
(Image: Getty Images)
“A period of especially strong winds are expected on Sunday afternoon and evening in western Scotland, where gusts could potentially reach 70-80mph in exposed areas and an Amber warning for winds has been issued here. More generally 50-60 mph are possible in some inland areas in other parts of the warning area, especially Northern Ireland and western Scotland, and perhaps up to 60-70 mph along exposed coasts and hills. These strong winds in conjunction with high spring tides, may cause some disruption.”
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