Storm Eunice

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

This thread covers the expected severe weather on Friday - named Storm Eunice by the met office. At the moment there is great uncertainty, so the met office have put out a very wide yellow weather warning. It looks likely that some regions within the warning area will see gusts of 60-70mph inland, with a small chances of inland gusts above 80mph. The storm also carries the potential for some blizzards, but again there is currently considerable uncertainty.

www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2022-02-18

A separate thread exists for Storm Dudley which is expected Wednesday/Thursday.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/weather/4481213-Storm-Dudley

That’s true abitofachinwag I looked at the BBC’s and panicked, then looked at the Met Office and thought, ah that’s a fen breeze then, no problem Our houses faces open fen on two sides so the wind sounds pretty bad at the best of times. Tonight will definitely be noisy!

@Handsoffreturns

Make sure your phone is fully charged recycled and you have some sensible footwear, I’d stick wellies in the boot.

Will be wearing my steel toe capped magnums, phone is always fully charged.

@GloriaSmud thank you for that link - that's actually really cool.

(Everything battened down as much as can be, and I'm in the lucky situation that my house is pretty power cut resilient, as I'm heated by oil and wood-burners, and have a couple of kerosene lanterns for back up light. Normally oil and wood are expensive alternatives but right now it's reassuring.)

Blatant placemark. Stay safe everybody

@Handsoffreturns

It may have been said, but for those making car journeys, this list may help -

• torch
• battery power pack
• fully charged phone
• bottle of water
• flask of tea / coffee
• blanket / sleeping bag
• wellies / walking boots
• wet weather kit (coat / hat etc)
• Hi Vis jacket if possible
• Warning triangle / car breakdown kit
• Snacks
• check tyres have enough air

Obviously don’t make the journey if you really don’t need to.

From experience, add loo roll and a couple of carrier bags. Because if you have to go, you want to be able to clear up after.

Belle thanks.
My parents were off for over a week with Arwen. My dad was bed bound so they couldn't leave. It was so bad that if the electric company hadn't got a generator in my dad would have had to be Medi vacced with the help of mountain rescue.

Take care people and if you buy in too many batteries they can be put to other uses.

@HoldOnToYourHat

You'd think so, wouldn't you, *@FourTeaFallOut* ? Not according to our school. Most of the kids travel into the town to school from outlying villages and farms by bus - some double-deckers - on winding, tree-lined country lanes. England, BTW.

My older two are on double deckers as well. Might drive them if school isn't closed...

@CharlieLo

Another tip from being in the red area during Storm Arwen, if you're in an area with old terraced houses, do not park your car near gable ends. We had a few come down onto cars in the streets.

And I bet the insurance companies try and wriggle out of it by claiming it's wear and tear due to wall tie corrosion...

Ok MN I need someone to talk some sense in to me/talk me down

My son is at home in South Wales on his own, I was planning to drive down tomorrow morning from Yorkshire.

DS is 17 and we live in a secure flat so no worries about chimneys etc. I really want to get home to him but is that crazy to do? Should I wait out the storm up north and travel down Saturday?
I feel mum guilt leaving him at home alone for this (tho it's likely he will teenage-sleep through the whole thing!)

@givemeallthecheese

Ok MN I need someone to talk some sense in to me/talk me down

My son is at home in South Wales on his own, I was planning to drive down tomorrow morning from Yorkshire.

DS is 17 and we live in a secure flat so no worries about chimneys etc. I really want to get home to him but is that crazy to do? Should I wait out the storm up north and travel down Saturday?
I feel mum guilt leaving him at home alone for this (tho it's likely he will teenage-sleep through the whole thing!)

I will talk you down.

Being there won't change any outcome - you can't magically make Eunice swerve around your home.

Driving home is increasing the chance of something going wrong because you're driving through the predicted red zone and amber zones. Let's say you set off and are terribly delayed and there is no mobile phone signal - none of which is unlikely given the predictions about Eunice. Your son will be worrying where you are and why you haven't contacted him if that scenario happens.

I would stay put and travel down on Saturday. I understand the mum-guild though !

@givemeallthecheese

Ok MN I need someone to talk some sense in to me/talk me down

My son is at home in South Wales on his own, I was planning to drive down tomorrow morning from Yorkshire.

DS is 17 and we live in a secure flat so no worries about chimneys etc. I really want to get home to him but is that crazy to do? Should I wait out the storm up north and travel down Saturday?
I feel mum guilt leaving him at home alone for this (tho it's likely he will teenage-sleep through the whole thing!)

Personally, I wouldn't risk the drive and it does sound like he's safe.

DS1 and I have just looked up the Beaufort Scale, and are highly impressed that our predicted wind speed is officially hurricane force. Force 12- that's 1 more than 11, you know 😆

Thanks @BerylStrip I know that's the sensible thing to do but all my instincts are telling me I'm being Worst Mum in the World

Just seen weather maps.

@givemeallthecheese

Ok MN I need someone to talk some sense in to me/talk me down

My son is at home in South Wales on his own, I was planning to drive down tomorrow morning from Yorkshire.

DS is 17 and we live in a secure flat so no worries about chimneys etc. I really want to get home to him but is that crazy to do? Should I wait out the storm up north and travel down Saturday?
I feel mum guilt leaving him at home alone for this (tho it's likely he will teenage-sleep through the whole thing!)

Don't go and travel down. Absolutely not. He will be fine. But if you travel, you may not be.

@givemeallthecheese stay put. You getting horribly caught up in traffic or (worst case) killed/injured by the storm will not help your son.

Is there a friendly neighbour you could ask to be a point of contact if he's worried?

Otherwise advise him to charge up his phone now so he can contact you if need be.

@givemeallthecheese

Thanks *@BerylStrip* I know that's the sensible thing to do but all my instincts are telling me I'm being Worst Mum in the World

I doubt anyone here thinks that of you.

Now if you'd said you were thinking of leaving your son at home and driving off into the wild blue yonder tomorrow we might think differently...

Most teenagers hate 'fuss' more than anything I think. Maybe just give him a call and say that if anything happens and he feels he doesn't know what to do he must just call you and you'll work it out ?

If he sleeps through it, so much the better...

Im in SW Devon in an urban area - its strangely calm - also been very warm. Sending DH out for a dog walk this eve as I dont think there will be any doggie walks tomorrow.

Just got the schools closed notification. I have jammed the bins betweeen the landrover and the garage wall (garage being jammed with DH's assorted rubbish). Brought in garden furniture and have moved the Dcs into the spare room as their bedroom has a tree within striking distance. DH thinks I am mad.

It's eerily calm! And I have a stonking headache

I’m in East Anglia, my immediate neighbour has a trampoline which I’m anxious is not secured, AIBU to go round and ask him to check it it secure? Somehow I doubt he has bothered to think about this….

SW hampshire, just had an email from LO nursery saying they will be closed tomorow due to the storm. I work in a hotel and guests have left early today to get away from the storm/avoid having to travel in it.

Moving LO cot into my bedroom for tonight as his window whistles in normal wind and wakes him up (waiting on landlord to fix it)

LO has a hospital appt tomorow 3pm, hospital is half an hour away, hoping I dont have to reschedule as I know I will be waiting months for annother appt.

I'm in Somerset, just outside the red zone. All schools & childcare settings are closed tomorrow. We've cleared/secured the garden as much as possible. Unfortunately we were due to have a fence post replaced tomorrow; & don't think we'll have a fence by the end of tomorrow

@OhYouBadBadKitten Huge thank you, I've lurked on these threads for ages and your knowledge and that of others is much appreciated.

It was an absolute hoolie (technical term) here in NE Suffolk last night, very quiet now. The odd thing is how it seemed to keep stopping and starting, and also how things that would normally get blown over outside eg lighter pots weren't, like it was all happening "higher" than normal (if that makes sense, which I'm not sure it does)

Not taking any chances tomorrow though, so hatches battened and as prepared as possible. I slept through the 1987 storm in the Midlands but am now proud possessor of a chimney pot and a poorly husband, so more nervous than I would usually be. Sending good wishes for everyone, stay safe.