REMOVE anything from your garden that could become a flying object – that’s the message to Surrey and Hampshire residents ahead of the expected arrival of Storm Eunice on Friday.

The Met Office has upgraded its warning to a ‘red’ alert, warning of a threat to life by flying debris in parts of the South West and Wales, in the early hours of Friday – and an ‘amber’ alert warning of ‘extremely strong winds’ remains in place for Surrey and Hampshire.

While there is still some uncertainty in the track of Eunice, the Waverley Weather Watchers Facebook group predicts “a period of 78mph winds” can be expected locally, and has advised home-owners to take precautions.

A post on the group’s page on Thursday morning read: “I would take today as an opportunity to remove anything from the garden that could become flying object. Chairs, tables, footballs, kids toys etc. And make sure trampolines are secured to the ground in some way.

“Make sure you know where torches are, as if the power goes, it may be off for a while.”

A spokesman for the Met Office added: “Extremely strong winds are expected to develop over southwest England early on Friday, before spreading north and east during the day.

“Inland wind gusts widely in the 60-70 mph range but up to 80 mph in a few places.

“Around coasts of west Wales and southwest England, gusts of 80 to 90 mph are possible. Winds are expected to ease across western areas through the afternoon, and eastern areas during the evening.”

What to expect in the ‘amber’ alert area including Surrey and Hampshire, according to the Met Office:

  • There is a good chance that flying debris could result in a danger to life
  • Damage to buildings and homes is likely, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down
  • Roads, bridges and railway lines are likely to close, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights
  • There is a good chance that power cuts, possibly prolonged, could occur , perhaps affecting other services, such as mobile phone coverage
  • Large waves are likely and beach material is likely to be thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties, and flooding of some coastal properties seems likely.
  • It is likely there will be falling branches and some uprooted trees

For the latest updates visit: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/