Red warning issued as storm hits

Wednesday 14 January 2015

Ferry sailings to and from the UK have been cancelled today and Islanders are being warned to stay away from the shores as storm force winds are due to batter the Island.

The Met say the southwesterly winds could reach storm force 10 and are forecasting gusts to 70 mph overnight, prompting the police to warn drivers in case there is debris on the roads. They are warning Islanders to avoid outdoor activity and "follow advice of authorities".

The Storm gate at the Elizabeth Marina was closed yesterday morning to protect moorings and Jersey Coastguard are warning people to stay away from the water's edge and not put themselves at risk of being dragged out to sea by breaking waves and strong winds, and last night a Blue Islands flight was struck by lightning, although no one was hurt.

Condor have cancelled their 17.20 sailing into the Island from Guernsey and the 21.20 ferry to Portsmouth and say there could be some disruption to tomorrow's sailings too.

Last week cars were reported to have been damaged on the Condor Rapide in a rough crossing from France.

Condor's executive director - freight, Steve Champion-Smith, said in a statement yesterday: “Ongoing severe weather conditions have forced the cancellation of tomorrow’s conventional ferry service between Portsmouth and the Channel Islands.

“We have cancelled Wednesday’s Commodore Clipper sailing after taking into account the timing of forecast extreme wind and weather conditions and to maintain the best possible freight service in these very difficult weather conditions. Forecast winds are so strong that it is likely that they would prevent even our conventional ferries from berthing in the Channel Island ports, so increasing disruption.

“We expect there to be a window of less severe weather during Thursday, which we believe will enable Clipper to berth, discharge and load cargo before the severity of the weather increases again. Our freight team have been in daily, detailed discussion with our customers over the past week and this revised service has been put in place with the goal of minimising disruption in these atrocious conditions."