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Original poster

Response to storm Arwen vs Eunice

364 replies

ArwenVsEunice · 18/02/2022 08:52

Curious to hear other peoples POV. Does anyone feel let down by the government’s response to storm Eunice versus storm Arwen, both with rare red warning storms?

For Eunice the Government have held an emergency cobra meeting, thousands of schools have been closed and there’s huge national media coverage. I think this absolutely is the right thing to do.

When Arwen was brewing there was no cobra meeting, just general advice to be careful from the Met Office. it was in the media but only to a very small extent www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-59419772. We live in the areas affected by Arwen and it was pretty terrifying when it hit. It took out trees and roofs local to where we live, at PIL it blew down their garden wall and fencing and left a 6ft hole. It knocked out power to nearly 250,000 homes. It took at least 5 days to get the army in to help those still cut off. I’ve not seen anything like it in my lifetime.

The optimistic part of me likes to think the government learnt from Arwen and have now pulled their socks up to deal with Eunice the way they should have done but the cynical part of me just feels like they weren’t bothered about Arwen as it was up in Scotland and the North East

AIBU to feel this way?

YANBU - it’s yet another example of the government not caring unless its a problem that affects the south/London

YABU - the government didn’t recognise the severity of Arwen and have learnt from their mistakes with Eunice

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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Original poster
ArwenVsEunice · 18/02/2022 08:54

Also want to add I hope everyone stays safe today xx

OP posts:
OutsideVoice · 18/02/2022 09:02

YANBU, but the government’s response to Arwen was pretty typical - ignore it and see if it’ll go away.
Despite the red warnings I think they were taken by surprise at how destructive it was.

Chrysanthemum5 · 18/02/2022 09:02

I don't think you are unreasonable- I was thinking the same watching the coverage on BBC news today. They kept mentioning London was in danger - which is true but it's not the only area.

I hope everyone is ok but I think it does show which parts of the country matter to the government

WabbitsAndWeasels · 18/02/2022 09:04

I life in the north east and noticed some of the same with regards to how much news coverage and pre warnings were on yesterday. Obviously we're yet to see a response to the aftermath so we could see still rural communities left to fend for themselves yet again.

I had friends who aren't even particularly rural (small village less than 2 miles from large market town) who were without power for 4 days and were left to it until it came back on. I was fortunately not very affected by it all other than a short power cut and the mild inconvenience of clearing some debris.

I also think there's been plenty of opportunities for the government to learn from previous storms so I'm a little cynical that it was storm Arwen that made them learn.

Hospedia · 18/02/2022 09:06

I think they didn't give a shit because it was in the North of England and Scotland, the same as the Cumbria floods several years ago.

Pumpfive · 18/02/2022 09:06

I heard absolutely loads about Arwen and it didn't affect my area. So it was definitely discussed widely. I just assume that this storm is going to be worse?! Obviously I don't know that though - it's not that bad yet!
As for schools, round by me schools were making decisions before official advice came out. Its up to local councils

trollopolis · 18/02/2022 09:10

Arwen didn't have 'red' warnings, did it?

You'd only get things like cobra meetings when it's a red

I know the impact was bad, but it wasn't predicted like this one is.

IamSamantha · 18/02/2022 09:11

Totally agree. Arwen was very much a get on with it vibe. It wasn't fun and we had damage to our property. The Councils were great thank goodness (power companies not so great).
Eunice is not to be underestimated but if it was hitting Scotland and Northern England we would not see this level of concern!

DementedPanda · 18/02/2022 09:11

I think in the North we were just expected to put our big coats on and get on with it. People have still got damage to fix (including us) The price of building materials have gone ridiculous.

I bet London would have been fixed by now with financial help.

IamSamantha · 18/02/2022 09:13

Big coats?! It's not below zero yet 😁

DementedPanda · 18/02/2022 09:14

Storm Arwen in the North East was on Red alert.

EatYourVegetables · 18/02/2022 09:14

I agree. Everyone around here has had serious damage from Arwen, but there were no school closures or people missing work.

DementedPanda · 18/02/2022 09:14

@IamSamantha 🤣🤣🤣

ikeepseeingit · 18/02/2022 09:15

I would like to think they have learnt from the last one. My cynical side says it’s because it will hit London badly and that’s all they care about.

MarianosOnHisWay · 18/02/2022 09:15

@trollopolis

Arwen didn't have 'red' warnings, did it?

You'd only get things like cobra meetings when it's a red

I know the impact was bad, but it wasn't predicted like this one is.

Yes, storm Arwen did have red warnings, up here in the north east
onalittledishy · 18/02/2022 09:15

Absolutely, we've been saying this too - the difference in preparation (and media coverage) is pretty stark.

gorgeousbimbam · 18/02/2022 09:17

@trollopolis

Arwen absolutely was a red alert and the fact that you don't know this kinda proves the OP's point.

It was red. They did know. No cobra, no army, no preparation and 250,000 homes without power.

OP, YANBU. If it had happened in Guildford, it would have been a national emergency.

Candleabra · 18/02/2022 09:17

@Hospedia

I think they didn't give a shit because it was in the North of England and Scotland, the same as the Cumbria floods several years ago.
I was just going to say the same thing. As soon as a storm could affect MPs second homes it’s a different matter
onalittledishy · 18/02/2022 09:17

@EatYourVegetables

I agree. Everyone around here has had serious damage from Arwen, but there were no school closures or people missing work.
Our school was closed for a week after Arwen... no power, damage to the roof, all the boundary fences flattened.
eurochick · 18/02/2022 09:17

I heard loads about Arwen and I wasn't in the affected area.

Due to the areas affected Eunice has the potential to negatively impact many, many more people.

trollopolis · 18/02/2022 09:18

Thank you - stand corrected!!

(and have changed vote!)

IamSamantha · 18/02/2022 09:20

@trollopolis

Arwen didn't have 'red' warnings, did it?

You'd only get things like cobra meetings when it's a red

I know the impact was bad, but it wasn't predicted like this one is.

It was red for North East and it wasn't fun. Hundreds of trees down, roofs off houses, flying debris and sadly people did die. Mainly from trees on cars.

I don't recall a cobra meeting. We're still clearing up but we were then hit by a further two Amber wind warnings so anything loosened by Arwen then went as well, and now it's yellow for wind and snow. That's going to be fun......

IamSamantha · 18/02/2022 09:20

I've no idea why I have sad faces 🙄

MarchCrocus · 18/02/2022 09:20

[quote gorgeousbimbam]@trollopolis

Arwen absolutely was a red alert and the fact that you don't know this kinda proves the OP's point.

It was red. They did know. No cobra, no army, no preparation and 250,000 homes without power.

OP, YANBU. If it had happened in Guildford, it would have been a national emergency.[/quote]
Correct.

jowly · 18/02/2022 09:23

Please excuse my southerly ignorance but a genuine question.. where does Nicola Sturgeons responsibility to prepare sit in this?