Storm Erik turns deadly as strong winds lash British Isles
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Storm Erik turned deadly on Friday as it blasted the United Kingdom and Ireland with strong winds. The risk for more power cuts and downed trees will remain into Saturday.
While Friday brought an initial round of rain and strong winds to the British Isles, many communities will continue to be lashed by the storm into Saturday.
Storm Erik, which was named by the Irish Meteorological Service on Thursday, turned deadly on Friday.
As the strong winds whipped across South West England on Friday, a falling tree struck vehicles in Buckfastleigh, Devon. One man was killed, while a young woman in another vehicle was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, according to BBC News.
Winds at nearby Exeter Airport had gusted to 48 mph (78 km/h) on Friday morning.
In Poole, Dorset Police reported that another tree landed on a double-decker bus on Friday. None of the passengers or the driver sustained injuries.
Another blast of stronger winds is expected to sweep across the British Isles Friday night into Saturday.
The strongest gusts of the storm can be produced on Friday night in Belfast and Liverpool, where gusts can reach or exceed 60 mph (80 km/h).
West-facing coastal communities around these cities can be blasted by gusts to 70 mph (96 km/h). Locally higher gusts cannot be ruled.
Residents of London will notice another increase in winds early Saturday, when gusts can range from 40-50 mph (64-80 km/h).
Whilst easing to the south, winds will ramp up and produce gusts of 50-60 mph (80-96 km/h) across most of Scotland on Saturday. This includes in Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
"Winds of this speed have and will continue to cause a major impact on transportation, both for high-sided vehicles and in the air," AccuWeather Meteorologist Courtney Travis said.
Due to the winds, the Tay Road Bridge in Scotland has been closed to double-decker buses. There is a speed restriction in place for other vehicles.
Disruptions have also expanded to rail and ferry service.
Hundreds of flights have been delayed at London's Heathrow Airport on Friday, according to FlightAware.
The ripple effect of disruptions at the major airports in the British Isles can impact air travelers elsewhere in Europe. In addition, rounds of strong winds will sweep over northern France and to other coastal communities around the North Sea into Saturday.
More power cuts and tree damage are expected. Falling trees threaten to cause more damage and bodily harm.
The persistent gusty winds are creating challenges for power restoration crews, while motorists can encounter roads closed due to downed trees or wires.
The winds are stirring dangerously rough seas along the west-facing beaches of the British Isles. Residents are reminded to stay away from the water's edge, and some coastal areas may be affected by minor flooding at high tide.
Download the free AccuWeather app to find out how strong the winds are anticipated in your community.
"In addition to the gusty winds, Storm Erik is delivering bouts of heavy rain," said Travis.
The steadiest rain into Saturday will fall across the northern British Isles. In the highest terrain, snow can occasionally mix in.
As the soil becomes saturated and the winds continue to howl, more trees may get knocked down.
Localised flash flooding in low-lying areas and along small streams may also occur in the hills and their western slopes in North West England, western Scotland and northwestern Ireland.
The departure of the strong winds on Saturday may not be immediately followed by calm weather.
"Behind Storm Erik, another round of rain and wind will move through western Europe during the second half of the weekend," Travis said.
While the strongest wind may remain to the south, rain and wind can spread over Wales and southern England from late Saturday into Sunday morning. The rain can end as snow in the hills of Scotland.
On the heels of this storm, another band of showers and fresh cold may sweep southward across the U.K. to end the weekend. The showers may become wintry, especially in the hills.
For the upcoming week, residents of the British Isles will welcome a turn to much drier and calmer weather that will feature fewer disruptions to travel and daily routines.
