Storm Eunice: Pedestrians blown off their feet and down street during deadly gales
London Fire Brigade declared major incident in response to the volume of storm-related calls
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Footage on social media has shown pedestrians being swept off their feet and across roads in south London as ferocious winds tore through the capital.
Videos online caputred commuters in Croydon being forced to the ground and tumbling down the streets by powerful gusts as Storm Eunice wreaked havoc across the UK.
The Met Office earlier issued the most severe “red” weather alert for London as conditions posed likely threat to life. The warning has since been stood down, although a “high impact” amber alert remains in force.
It comes after the London Fire Brigade declared a major incident in response to the volume of 999 calls being taken about Storm Eunice-related incidents.
Control staff will be prioritising incidents where there is a risk to life, with fire crews then attending other calls as non-emergencies when they are able.
The brigade fielded 550 emergency calls between 1.30am and 1pm – more than the number typically seen in 24 hours, the fire service said.
But operators have also taken a number of unhelpful calls, including to a tent which had blown into a neighbour’s garden and to a trampoline which was blowing around in the garden next door, the service said.
It follows reports of severe damage to London’s O2 Arena after gusts tore open parts of its dome as strong winds raged through the capital.
Footage emerged on social media showing a huge split in the white roof of the former Millennium Dome.
According to the most recent video shared online, it appears six panels have since been ripped from the iconic building.
Storm Eunice has brought with it damage, disruption and potentially record-breaking winds to the UK and Ireland.
Four people have died tragically died, however, amid the widespread destruction.
A woman in her 30s was killed when a tree fell on a car in north London, a man in his 50s died when debris struck the windscreen of a vehicle in Merseyside, and a man in his 20s died after his truck collided with a fallen tree in Hampshire.
Earlier, a man was killed by a falling tree in County Wexford, Ireland.
Three people have also died in the Netherlands, and several people in the UK have been taken to hospital with injuries from falling debris.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments