Three days later, the after effects of Storm Eowyn are still being felt in Cumbria.
Thousands of people are still without power and the storm impacted rubbish collections, roads, public transport and schools, plus much more.
Buildings were damaged across the county – including a major incident at the Sands Centre in Carlisle.
Here is a round-up of what we know and where we are at in the aftermath of Storm Eowyn on Monday, January 27.
And here’s what we reported on Friday
Power cuts
Electricity North West said the damage to its network was greater than initially thought.
It said overnight on Saturday, Cumbria’s power network experienced further damage, particularly between the hours of 9pm to 1am where many customers reported sightings of flashes on the overhead network.
It said weather conditions hit the coastal areas below Cumbria and the west coast of Cumbria around Workington and Seascale area.
Stephanie Trubshaw, Electricity North West’s incident manager, said: “The damage to the network we have seen is at the levels of Storm Arwen.
“We’ve seen mass devastation, largely across Cumbria as trees and high winds have brought down overhead lines and snapped wood poles.
“The power network has experienced further damage overnight with trees and debris colliding with overhead lines and wooden poles. “
The network operator said yesterday it had restored power to close to 93,000 properties across its region with more than 200 separate damages recorded.
Due to its severity, Storm Eowyn will be classed as Category 2, meaning that customers will be eligible for compensation payments of £85 if power has been cut off for 48 hours, and an extra £40 for every six hours afterwards.
Once all properties have been restored, Electricity North West will contact customers entitled to compensation payments, it said.
Support for people experiencing a power cut
Warm spaces and food is available at:
- he Commodore Inn, Grange over Sands LA11 6DY. Providing free lunch mid-day until 2:30 pm.
- The Strands & Screes Inn, Wasdale Hall Wasdale, Wasdale CA20 1ET. Providing free lunch from mid-day.
- The Falcon Club, Egremont CA22 2QN. Providing free limited hot menu and drinks from mid-day.
- Kings Head Hotel, Riverside, Ravenstonedale, Kirkby Stephen CA17 4NH. Providing free hot food and drinks, warm space and phone charging.
- The Watch Tree Nature Reserve, CA5 6NL. Providing free hot food and drinks and a warm space.
- The Crossings Inn, Roweltown, Carlisle, CA6 6LG. Providing free hot food and drinks from 11 am.
- Graham Arms Inn, English St, Longtown, Carlisle CA6 5SE. Providing free hot food and drinks, phone charging, warm space, shower (bring own towel). Open mid-day until 8 pm.
- Plough Inn, Wreay, CA4 0RL. Providing free hot food and drinks from mid-day.
- Mae’s Tea Rooms & Gallery, The Old School, The Old School Uldale, Uldale CA7 1HA. Providing free hot food and drinks, phone charging and showers.
- Hundith Hill Hotel Lorton Vale, Cockermouth CA13 9TH. Providing free hot Food and drinks. Lunch until 2 pm and dinner 6 pm until 8:30 pm.
- Barista Café, 20 High St, Wigton CA7 8DL. Providing free hot food and drinks until 3.15 pm and later for hot drinks, warm space and phone charging.
- The Old Bank Tea Rooms, Aspatria, CA7 3HB. Providing free hot food and drinks until 1.30 pm.
- Lowther Arms, Mawbray, Maryport, Cumbria CA15 6QT. Providing free food and drink, showers, mobile phone charging and a warm space until 8 pm.
- Southwards catering vehicle, Nethertown square (next to the post box) CA22. Providing free hot food and drinks.
- Watermill Inn & Brewing Company, Ings, Nr. Windermere, Cumbria. LA8 9PY. Serving food & drink from 12pm – 8pm warm spaces, showers, mobile charging
Our list of power cuts is here – we will update throughout the day.
Schools
St Benedict’s School and Mayfield School in Whitehaven will be closed today, Monday January 27, due to storm damage.
The secondary school said part of its roof was damaged during Storm Eowyn.
We have had no official notification of other schools being closed today – but please let us know and if you’re not sure, check your school’s usual communication channels.
Roads
Dozens of roads were closed or impacted by falling trees during Storm Eowyn.
Cumbria police warned that driving conditions may continue to be hazardous as the clean-up continued and warned people to be careful on the roads, particularly on blind bends.
Cumberland Council said its highways teams were continuing to work over the weekend to clear debris from the roads. The authority has not released an updated list of roads affected by the storm.
Westmorland & Furness Council’s highways team responded to almost 70 emergency reports of fallen trees, damaged buildings and damaged lamp posts. The teams reopened 64 roads.
By noon on Friday, Cumberland Council was dealing with around 80 road incidents reported to its highways team.
We’ll bring you roads news as we get it.
West Walls car park, Carlisle
West Walls car park in Carlisle has partially reopened to the public. It was closed on Friday due to storm debris. Teams have managed to clear parts of the car park and will continue to remove the remaining debris so that the whole car park can reopen later today. Cumberland Council ask for safety, people keep to the areas that have been opened.
Waste collections
Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness councils have issued updates about waste and recycling collections in the aftermath of Storm Eowyn.
Cumberland Council suspended its collections on Friday January 24, while Westmorland & Furness Council was not able to complete its rounds.
For an update about your area’s collections, see here.
Trains
Network Rail said there were power outages along the Cumbrian Coast line, bringing major disruption to the line yesterday.
Disruption continues for the coast line. Due to severe weather earlier today, Monday January 27, some lines are blocked. Disruption is expected until the end of the day today, Monday January 27.
A major recovery operation is underway on the railway’s West Coast Main Line following Storm Eowyn.
Gusts in Cumbria reached 83mph and Network Rail said the storm brought over 60 incidents of flying debris, collapsed walls and even a roof which affected the West Coast Mainline.
Avanti West Coast said following the damage caused by Storm Éowyn, services to/from Glasgow and Edinburgh have now resumed. There may be some late starts and possible delays to journeys to/from Scotland while it continues to restore the full service.
TransPennine Express is urging people to check their journey.
Other
Calvert Lakes, near Keswick, will close its swimming pool today due to ongoing issues with power cuts.
Sands Centre, Carlisle
Cumberland Council said it would remain closed to allow work to be safely carried out on the canopy which was damaged on Friday, January 24.
The centre, its car park and Swifts car park have been closed this weekend as a result.
The temporary canopy had been installed as part of the RAAC replacement of the Sands’ auditorium roof.
The Sands Centre and Swifts car parks will both remain closed.
The closure also affects any NHS services that are provided at the centre. Patients will be contacted by the NHS direct.
Carlisle cemeteries
Carlisle cemeteries were closed on Friday and will reopen today. People are asked not to go into cordoned-off areas.
Carlisle Cathedral
Public services were cancelled at Carlisle Cathedral this weekend as the precinct has become unsafe.
There is strictly no access to the cathedral precinct via any of the three entrances. The cathedral said instead of public services, clergy will say prayers.
Forests
People are urged not to visit Cumbria’s forests this weekend as rangers assess the damage caused by Storm Eowyn.
Forestry England, which is responsible for Ennerdale, Cogra Moss, Whinlatter, Grizedale, Blengdale Forest, Hardknott, Whitbarrow, Eggerslack Woods, Dalton Crags Forest, Dodd Wood, Setmurthy, and High Stand and Coombs Wood, asked people not to visit them today due to the high risk of falling trees.
Wild Ennerdale said: “Thank you to everyone who has followed the official advice and our ask to postpone their visit to Ennerdale today as Storm Éowyn brings high winds across the country.
“While the impact of the weather is yet to be fully assessed we are asking visitors to postpone travelling to Ennerdale and other Forestry England sites in Cumbria this weekend to allow our rangers to safely inspect and make our trails safe.
“We will update as soon as we are able with more information.
“Forests and woodlands can be dangerous places to be during a storm and even once it has passed fallen trees and branches may still present a danger. Consider your safety before visiting.”
