Wind speeds of 106mph were recorded at The Needles overnight as Storm Bella hit, but the Island has escaped any serious impact.
An amber weather warning remains in force this morning (Sunday) but the peak of the storm has now passed with winds expected to ease as the day progresses.
At around 03:00, The Needles Coastwatch Station at the most westerly point of the Island recorded a gust of 106mph (92 knots) – Beaufort 12. If Bella were a tropical storm, it would have been classified as a Category 2 hurricane.
Damage has been caused to garden furniture and sheds across the Island, with brand new properties in Shalfleet also sustaining some damage to exterior cladding.
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LIVE UPDATES – now concluded
CROSS-SOLENT TRAVEL
Vehicle Ferries
Red Funnel – East Cowes ↔ Southampton – running to timetable
Wightlink – Fishbourne ↔ Portsmouth – running to timetable
Wightlink – Yarmouth ↔ Lymington – 2 hourly service
Foot Passengers
Red Jet – Cowes ↔ Southampton – Running to timetable
Fast Cat – Ryde ↔ Portsmouth – Suspended – The Portsmouth Harbour-Ryde Pier Head FastCat service is suspended as of 26th December 2020 until further notice
Hovertravel – Ryde ↔ Southsea – running to timetable
BUSES
Southern Vectis
A normal Sunday service is in operation on all routes today.
All routes are running to timetable
TRAINS
Island Line – Shanklin ↔ Ryde Pier Head
Suspended – disruption expected until 15:00 due to severe weather. (updated 12:10)
ROAD DISRUPTION / CLOSURES
Kite Hill, near Wootton – Reports of a tree down at Kite Hill between Wootton and Fishbourne.
Yarmouth Road, Yarmouth – Road closed – Reports of an incident (possible tree and electricity cables down) on the main road into Yarmouth from Newport. Police are in attendance.
Briddlesford Road, Downend – Flooding reported and branches in the road by Lynnbottom Tip
Whitcombe Road, Carisbrooke – Tree Down by The Priory car park (Nunwell Lane junction).
West Hill Lane / Hallets Shute, Yarmouth – Tree down partially blocking access to Westhill Lane from Halletts Shute. Cars can pass however could be an issue for larger vehicles/emergency services. (11:00)
FLOODING
East Cowes – Reported flooding on the main road into East Cowes at Whippingham.
Other roads are likely to be flooded so motorists should take extra care.
Flooding anticipated around the Monktonmead Brook in Ryde. Environment Agency advises vehicles are moved from locations besides the brook or railway line.
Flooding expected on the Eastern Yar, flood alert issue. islandecho.co.uk/flood-alert-issued-for-the-eastern-yar-following-12-hours-of-heavy-rain
REPORTED POWERCUTS
Yarmouth – PO41 0AB, PO41 0XL and PO41 0XN are without power. SSEN are aware. Power went off at 11:11 and is expected to be restored by 21:00.
FLOOD ALERTS / WARNINGS
Ryde – The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for Ryde St John’s/Monktonmead. Read more on this alert at islandecho.co.uk/flood-alert-issued-for-ryde-as-monktonmead-water-levels-rise/.
Eastern Yar – The Environment Agency has issued a flood alert for the Eastern Yar. Read more on this alert at islandecho.co.uk/flood-alert-issued-for-the-eastern-yar-following-12-hours-of-heavy-rain/.
OTHER
Appley Rise, Ryde – Reports of a tree blocking the footpath. Island Roads aware. (11:30)
Ryde – Flood gates at Simion Street Recreational Ground have now been put in place. (12:30)
Shalfleet – exterior cladding damaged on a brand new property.
ESSENTIAL TRAVEL The Isle of Wight and Lymington are now in Tier 3, while Portsmouth, London and much of the South East are in Tier 4. Unless travelling for essential reasons, you shouldn’t visit Tier 3 or 4 areas.
(Article originally posted 05:57)
