Storm Eunice: four dead and others injured as 120mph winds batters UK and Ireland

Four people have been killed, with several others injured, as Storm Eunice brought damage, disruption and potentially record-breaking gusts of wind to the UK and Ireland.

A woman in her 30s died after a tree fell on a car in Haringey, north London, on Friday afternoon, the Metropolitan Police said. It was the first confirmed death in England related to Eunice.

A man in his 50s has died in Netherton, Merseyside, after debris struck the windscreen of a vehicle he was travelling in, said Merseyside Police.

There was also tragedy in Alton, Hampshire after a man in his 20s was killed after a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter pick-up collided with a tree just before midday.

Earlier, a man in Co Wexford, Ireland, was also killed by a falling tree.

It came as millions of people were urged to stay at home on Friday due to safety fears over the impact of Eunice, one of the worst storms to hit the UK in a generation, while transport woes meant many were unable to travel.

What has the impact of Storm Eunice been?

Both of the Met Office’s ultra-rare “red” weather warnings over the impact of extremely strong winds have now elapsed, but Eunice’s impact is expected to continue.

A member of the public suffered “serious injuries” after being struck by debris from a roof in Henley-on-Thames.

Two men are also in hospital after being injured in similar, separate incidents in south London.

Police forces and local authorities across the country reported being inundated with phone calls related to the storm, with East Sussex County Council receiving 97 fallen tree reports by 4pm.

Tens of thousands of homes remain without power and the transport network remains severely impacted.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said of the incident in Haringey: “My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the woman who tragically lost her life and the man who was seriously injured in Highgate this afternoon.

“I’d like to pay tribute to all those in the emergency services who have been working tirelessly to keep us safe and urge all Londoners to remain cautious and avoid taking risks as this storm passes.”

What has the Environment Agency said?

John Curtin, executive director of operations with the Environment Agency, said: “We are not through it yet. We have still got to see Storm Eunice go to the far parts of the coast – Cumbria and Kent.

“Then we will be turning our eyes to rivers, especially the River Severn. If you are anywhere near a river, please check your flood risk.”

He added: “Every storm seems to be breaking records.

“I have been doing this for 30 years and the weather seems to be just getting worse and worse.

“I think this is showing climate change in action.”

Winds of 122mph have been provisionally recorded at the Needles on the Isle of Wight, which, if verified, would be the highest ever recorded in England.

The previous record was 118mph at Gwennap Head in Cornwall in 1979.

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