Storm Eleanor: Farmers warned of 80mph gusts and heavy rain
NFU Mutual has warned farmers to be prepared as the extreme weather brings chilly temperatures and battering winds.
Lauren Dean
Farmers and rural workers have been warned to be on standby later today as strong wind and rain approaches.
Storm Eleanor, the first named storm of 2018, comes with a Yellow Weather Warning for this evening and much of tomorrow (January 2 and 3) with gusts of 60-70mph expected inland and 80mph on exposed coasts and hills.
The Met Office said despite the wind, much of the UK will be hit by a chilly night with temperatures in Scotland expected to drop low enough for frost.
NFU Mutual head of claims Jon Cawley encouraged farmers to ‘be prepared’.
He said: “Strong winds in rural areas can cause significant damage as many farms and homes are situated on higher ground and less protected by other buildings.
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“Rural areas can also be prone to power cuts with lines brought down by high winds and fallen trees.
Damage
“Our claims teams and local agents are on standby across the UK to provide immediate support with claims or emergency accommodation if required.”
The storm is expected to clear by late morning but the weather will stay ‘very windy with heavy showers’.
The insurer warned it was likely to cause damage to buildings, with potential for human injury from flying debris, power cuts and coastal flooding.
Here’s a closer look at #StormEleanor during the next few hours #weatheraware pic.twitter.com/FPnwQHpWMF
— Met Office (@metoffice)Here's a closer look at #StormEleanor during the next few hours #weatheraware pic.twitter.com/FPnwQHpWMF
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 2, 2018
Preparing for Storm Eleanor:
At home
- Stay alert for Met Office Severe Weather warnings
- Do not risk injury by attempting to clear snow from roofs or attempting emergency repairs while the storm is raging
- Prepare for power cuts and make sure you have torches, batteries and that generators are ready
- Park your car in the garage if possible
- Secure outdoor garden furniture
- In flood-prone areas, plan how you can move valuables upstairs or raise them from ground level
- Make sure you have your insurer’s emergency helpline available
In the car
- Plan journeys carefully, check the weather forecast and only drive if necessary
- Check your tyres, as well as the levels of your engine oil, coolant and screen wash. Making sure your lights and battery are in good working order is also important
- Keep a torch, blanket, warm clothing, sensible footwear, a bottle of water and a chocolate bar or two in the car
- Make sure your mobile telephone is fully charged, and tune into the radio to keep up to date about road conditions
- Check you have emergency breakdown cover and the contact details– this may be part of your insurance policy
For more information on weather precautions visit www.nfumutual.co.uk. For emergency assistance, call the NFU Mutual out of hours line on 0800 282 652.
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