Storm Bram: Everything you need to know

Storm Bram has hit Cumbria and wind speeds are picking up.

After a day of torrential rain – although not as bad as originally predicted by the Met Office – the effects of Storm Bram are starting to be felt.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind until 11.59pm today, Tuesday December 9.

The Met Office said: “Storm Bram will bring a spell of strong south to south westerly winds during Tuesday afternoon, evening and night.

“Peak gusts of 60mph to 70 mph are expected fairly widely, but gusts of 70mph to 80mph are possible on exposed coasts and high ground.”

It is understood a roof has been damaged on Crown Street in Cockermouth and is a potential danger.

Boards have been ripped off in the wind at the former Co-op building in Penrith town centre.

Workers at the nearby Miami Sun said they heard the boards smash off and tiles are flying around the street.

Cumbria police have released a statement urging drivers to take care on the roads.

It said there were a number of reports of debris on roads.

It added: “Agencies are working to remove obstacles such as trees from roads – but motorists are asked to drive to the conditions and stay alert.

“During storms, sudden gusty winds can unsettle vehicles.

“Motorists are advised to keep their speed down, stay focussed on the road ahead and give other road users more room.”

Roads

The A66 has reopened to high-sided vehicles this morning, Wednesday December 10, between Scotch Corner and the M6 Penrith.

The A66 is reported to be blocked between Embleton and Cockermouth due to a fallen tree – looks like it has cleared, but traffic is slow (5.50pm)
Fallen tree on Scaw Road High Harrington blocking the road on the slight hill between the two bend
NOW CLEAR: The A595 is closed both ways at Bothel and there is slow traffic due to fallen tree between School Lane at Bothel and the Torpenhow turn-off
NOW CLEAR: Riverside, Dalston, near Carlisle, blocked by fallen tree
NOW CLEAR: Fallen tree on the A595 between Thursby roundabout and Wigton at Jenkins Cross. It is partially blocking the northbound carriageway
Road over Bowscar is impassable, it has been reported

Rail

Some services across England and Wales today, Wednesday 10 December, may still have residual disruption due to Amber and Yellow weather warnings that were in place yesterday.

Heavy rain can overwhelm drainage systems, flooding tracks and slowing down trains
Water runs off hard ground onto the tracks, while ballast can wash away, destabilising the track
Heavy rain can also short-circuit power supplies for trains and cause signalling equipment to fail
Strong winds can blow trees into infrastructure, damaging the overhead lines that power electric trains
Speed restrictions may be implemented to ensure trains are able to run safely on the railway

Passengers are urged to check before they travel.

Power cuts

SP Electricity North West said there were hundreds of homes without power in Cumbria.

Areas affected are (Updated Wednesday December 10):

Westward, Allerdale – 36 properties affected. Estimated time of restoration 6pm
Woodside, Allerdale – 233 properties affected. Estimated time of restoration 6pm
Blindcrake – 45 properties affected. Estimated time of restoration 6pm
Plumbland – 3 properties affected. Estimated time of restoration under review
Woodside, Allerdale – 50 properties affected. Estimated time of restoration 6pm
Above Derwent – 13 properties affected. Estimated time of restoration 6pm
Langwathby – 9 properties affected. Estimated time of restoration 6pm
Sebergham – 22 properties affected. Estimated time of restoration 6pm
Aspatria – 21 properties affected. Estimated time of restoration 6pm
Dean – 9 properties affected. Estimated time of restoration 6pm
Loweswater – 6 properties affected. Estimated time of restoration 6pm
Yanwath & Eamont Bridge – 18 properties affected. Estimated time of restoration 6pm
Appleby – 72 properties affected. Estimated time of restoration under review
Brougham – 36 properties affected. Estimated time of restoration 6pm
Appleby – 20 properties affected. Estimated time of restoration 6pm
Silloth – 82 properties affected. Estimated time of restoration 6pm
Aspatria – 10 properties affected. Estimated time of restoration 6pm
Aspatria – 3 properties affected. Estimated time of restoration under review
Catterlen – 17 properties affected. Estimated time of restoration 6pm
Cleator Moor – 9 properties affected. Estimated time of restoration 6pm
Askerton, Carlisle – 14 properties affected. Estimated time of restoration 6pm
Aldingham, South Lakeland – 39 properties affected. Estimated time of restoration 12.45pm

Other

Due to high winds, Westmorland & Furness’ Flusco Household Waste Recycling Centre was temporarily closed to the public. The council said it was expected it would reopen today, but it would continue to monitor the weather.