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Some parts of the country are primed for strong winds this weekend as Storm Bella hits Boxing Day, but how much will it affect Suffolk?
The Met Office has put out a “yellow” level weather advisory for tomorrow’s wind over much of eastern England.
Winds are scheduled to start around 20 mph in the morning, but build up steadily throughout the afternoon and evening, reaching a predicted peak of 51 mph at 3 a.m. Sunday.
Heavy rain is also expected, but Highways England, which runs the A14, has already said it does not expect to have to close the Orwell Bridge.
The storms could cause damage to trees and overhead power lines, but the Orwell Bridge is expected to remain open.
– Credit: Archant Norfolk
The threshold for bridge closures is typically 50 mph gusts, but while it said it was anticipating “very strong winds,” Highways England’s Twitter page added: “The forecast gusts are just below our thresholds, so it doesn’t plan to close now. “
UK Power Networks said it has been making “additional efforts” to prepare, amid fears that the winds could knock down branches and trees and damage overhead power lines.
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Engineers will be able to repair some power outages quickly without visiting the scene of the damage, but cautioned that crews may not be able to scale and repair overhead power lines until winds have dropped to a safe level.
Chief Innovation and Customer Services Officer Ian Cameron said: “We understand how difficult it would be to be without power, especially during cold weather and the holiday period, and we will do our best to restore supplies quickly if there are power outages.
“Keeping people safe and fixing power outages is our top priority, so if you see any damaged power lines, our advice is to stay away, keep everyone clear, and call us at 105.
“We ask people to make sure they are prepared at home as well. For example, you can charge your mobile phone and devices before the weather hits. “
The Met Office said on its website: “Strong southwest winds will develop over parts of northern England and the southern tip of Scotland on Saturday afternoon, before moving southeast through the rest of England and Wales into Sunday morning, clearing for early Sunday afternoon.
“There are likely to be inland gusts of 50-60 mph, with the potential of 60-70 mph in some places.
“Hills and coasts exposed to southwesterly winds could see gusts of 70 to 80 mph.”
The region has already seen torrential rains Wednesday through Christmas Eve, triggering widespread flooding across the county, and many roads had to be closed after becoming impassable.
Flood alerts were put in place in various parts of the county, but perhaps some of the most striking scenes were at Stowmarket’s Rattlesden River.
In another incident, the driver of a FedEx van had to climb to safety after his vehicle got stuck in floodwater at Moulton Packhorse Bridge.
