The Friday Market is cancelled and students are being asked to work from home as Storm Eunice is expected to bring powerful wind gusts up to 70 mph in Swanage.
An Amber wind warning covering South West England including Swanage has been issued by the Met Office for Friday 18th February 2022 and is forecast to cause significant damage. The extremely strong winds are expected to last between 5 am and 9 pm.
The weather is forecast to be even worse in North Cornwall and along the South Wales coastline, where a rare Red wind warning has been issued.
Met Office weather warning map for Friday 18th February 2022
Students asked to work from home
Dorset Council has advised all schools to close across the county and The Swanage School has announced that it’s asking students to work online from home.
Swanage Town Council has cancelled the outdoor Friday Market at the Main Beach car park.
Dorset Council says that Durlston Country Park, Swanage Library and the Swanage household recycling centre will also close as a precautionary measure.
The National Trust is closing Corfe Castle, as well as its car parks in Studland to deter people from visiting the beach.
The lull before the storm
Large waves are likely
The Met Office says there is a good chance that flying debris could result in a danger to life and it’s likely there will be falling branches and some uprooted trees.
Flooding defences are already in place along the seafront in Swanage, however the Met Office is warning that large waves are likely and beach material is likely to be thrown onto the seafront, coastal roads and properties.
Flood defences along the Swanage seafront were put in place at the start of the winter
“Avoid taking unnecessary risks”
RNLI National Water Safety Partner, Samantha Hughes said:
“The expected storms could make our seas treacherous, increasing the risk for those visiting the coast around the UK and Ireland.
“In a normal year, around 150 people lose their lives at the coast and we know that more than half of those never intended to be in the water.
“So, whether you are walking, running or cycling at the coast, please be extra responsible and avoid taking unnecessary risks or entering the water.
“In particular, we ask people to stay well back from stormy, wintery seas and cliff edges, check tide times before you go, take a phone with you, and call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard if you or someone else is in trouble.”
