Storm Éowyn caused havoc but what we should do to protect ourselves when future storms hit?

STORM Éowyn, a powerful ex-tropical cyclone, battered Ireland and Scotland on:- 24 January 2025, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

The storm, which also affected the North West of England and North Wales, was the 5th named storm of the season. Its strength was fuelled by low pressure over the Atlantic colliding with the jet stream, creating intense and unpredictable weather.

At the height of the storm, wind gusts exceeded 100 mph, causing widespread damage. The UK Met Office has described Storm Éowyn as:- "probably the strongest storm" to strike the UK in at least a decade, highlighting the severity of the weather event. As communities across the country assess the aftermath, Storm Éowyn has undoubtedly left its mark, reminding us of the power of nature and the importance of preparedness.

On Merseyside, the wind might not have been as strong as in Scotland, Ireland or the Isle of Man, but it still left behind a trail of damage and disruption. Many trees were uprooted, and properties were affected, like the blowing off the roof of the Old Royal Mail Sorting Office (now flats) on Post Office Avenue in Southport.

So what can you do if your home or business property is damaged by a storm like this?

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says they can reassure you that damage caused by storms and flooding is covered by most standard home insurance and commercial business policies and comprehensive motor insurance. 

Dave Thompson, Director of Claims at Tesco Insurance, comments:- "From Storm Darragh to Storm Eowyn, we've experienced 1 of the stormiest winter periods for some time. And they've wreaked havoc across parts of the UK with strong winds and heavy rainfall causing damage to homes and flooding. As our weather becomes increasingly unpredictable it's important we're all aware of the steps to take to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe, and our homes as protected as possible. While some parts of the country may have experienced milder weather conditions, we are still in the midst of winter and it's important to keep on top of any potential issues which may occur from bad weather, including:- burst pipes or leaky roofs. If you do spot any problems, there are steps to be taken such as turning off water or mains electricity supplies and contacting your insurer as soon as it's safe to."

If your property has suffered damage as a result of storm force winds, Association of British Insurers (ABI) says you should do the following:-

• Contact your insurer as soon as possible. Most will have 24 hour emergency help lines to ensure you get advice on what to do and arrange repairs as quickly as is possible. 
   

• If necessary, arrange temporary emergency repairs to stop any damage getting worse, but speak to your insurer 1st.
   

• If you have to arrange emergency repairs yourself, tell your insurer and keep any receipts, as this will form part of your claim.
   

• Do not be in a rush to throw away damaged items, unless they are a danger to health, as these may be able to be repaired or restored. Your insurer will advise.

If your property has been flooded, here's our 6 flood recovery steps Association of British Insurers (ABI) says you should do the following:-

• Step 1 - Contact your insurer as soon as possible. They will advise you on arranging emergency accommodation if necessary (or any temporary alternative trading premises if you are a business with business interruption cover), the information they will need from you to support your claim, and how to go ahead with the immediate clean-up and repair process.  
   

• Step 2 - Assessing the damage and finding temporary accommodation. A loss adjuster will be appointed to assess the claim. An initial assessment of the damage will be done, the repair process explained and the options for alternative accommodation outlined. You should expect to hear from your loss adjuster after contacting your insurer and they will get in touch if they need to arrange a visit to your home.  
   

• Step 3 - Cleaning and stripping out. Your loss adjuster will organise the cleaning and stripping out of your home. This work should start within four weeks of discussing it with your loss adjuster.  
   

• Step 4 - Disinfecting and drying your home. Your insurer or loss adjuster will appoint a drying company to disinfect and dry out your home. This can take from a few weeks to several months. Your loss adjuster will give you a timetable and keep you informed.  
   

• Step 5 - Repair and reconstruction. Repair work should begin shortly after you get your drying certificate from the drying company. Your loss adjuster will appoint a builder to do the repair and reconstruction work and will keep you updated on expected timeframes. You can also ask your insurer if you are eligible for Build Back Better, which can include installing property flood resilience measures as part of flood repairs. 
   

• Step 6 - Moving back into your home. Your insurer or loss adjuster will discuss with you when you can return home. Depending on how badly damaged your home is, this can be between a few weeks and a year or more after the flood.

If your home is uninhabitable while repairs are being carried out, your insurer will arrange for and pay the cost of, any alternative temporary accommodation you may need in line with your policy.  

Commercial polices may cover damage to premises and stock. Business interruption cover (which may be included or purchased separately) will cover additional trading costs, such as hiring temporary alternative trading premises if necessary.  

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has issued full guidance on coping with storm damage that can be found on its website.

They also made a very helpful guide for you to follow that should help you recover from a flood and it also gives you information on what to expect from your insurer. You can download it for free on:- ABI.Org.UK.

Bizarrely, some of the damage and issues caused by the storm could have been avoided, along with some potentially dangerous situations. For example, loose outdoor items like trampolines or parking cars under trees caused extra problems and increased the risk of damage during the storm.

Adrian Simpson, Head of Policy at Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) said:- "Storm Éowyn has again highlighted the dangers of not taking precautions seriously to ensure safety. We urge everyone to take warnings seriously it is crucial to stay informed and prepared."

Louise Clark, Senior Policy Adviser for General Insurance at the ABI, said:- "Insurers expect bad weather at any time and their 1st priority right now is to help their affected customers recover as quickly as possible. If you do suffer damage to your property or vehicle, contact your insurer as soon as you can for help and advice."   

These are RosPA's Safety Guidelines for staying safe when a storm like Storm Éowyn is heading our way:-

On the Road:-

• Avoid travel... If possible, avoid travelling during the storm. High winds can make driving hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles.
   

• Drive cautiously... If travel is unavoidable, reduce your speed, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, and be alert for debris on the road.
   

• Check routes... Stay updated on road conditions and closures by checking local traffic reports and weather updates.

At Home:-

• Secure loose items... Ensure that outdoor furniture, bins, and other loose items are secured or brought indoors to prevent them from being blown away.
   

• Stay indoors... Remain indoors as much as possible. Keep windows and doors closed to prevent wind damage.
   

• Emergency kit... Prepare an emergency kit with essentials such as water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, and a first aid kit.

Near Coastal Areas:-

• Avoid Coastal paths... Stay away from coastal paths, promenades, and piers. High waves and strong winds can create dangerous conditions.
   

• Monitor alerts... Pay attention to local weather alerts and follow the advice of authorities regarding evacuations or safety measures.

General Advice:-

• Stay informed... Keep up to date with the latest weather forecasts and warnings from reliable sources.
  Help vulnerable.
   

• Neighbours... Check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours to ensure they are safe and have everything they need.
   

• Emergency contacts... Have a list of emergency contact numbers readily available, including local authorities and utility companies.

SP Energy Networks has also given these 'top tips' to keep people safe, should their power go out are as follow a storm:-

• Ensure you store a battery powered or wind up torch in an easily accessible location so you can use it to check the fuse box and navigate around your home safely.
   

• Power lines may fall because of stormy weather so beware of this when venturing out of your home. Always treat them as live, stay away and report them right away by calling:- 999.
   

• Having your mobile phone charged means you can give SP Energy Networks a call on the national:- 105 emergency helpline. Please don't assume we know if your power is out, so call us right away.

You can check online using the SP Energy Networks postcode look-up tool for live updates on power cuts in your area and to check if the team is already aware that your power is down via visiting:- SPEnergyNetworks.Co.UK.

If your power does go out, your heating might not work, so keep extra blankets nearby and close window shutters, blinds or curtains to help keep the heat in.

Teams work around the clock to restore electricity as quickly as possible, but customers who feel they need extra support may be eligible for the Priority Services Register. Visit the SP Energy Networks website or call:- 03301010167 for more information.

Make sure we have up to date contact details for you, so we can keep in touch with you as appropriate.

Also commenting on Storm Éowyn, for which the Met Office had issued the very unusual Red Weather Warnings, Greenpeace UK's Senior Climate Campaigner, Philip Evans, said:- "As people in many parts of the UK brace themselves for a:- 'weather bomb' of strong winds, rain, snow and possibly even tornados, it's clear that the UK's weather is getting more extreme and more unpredictable. This is climate change in action and it's time those causing this crisis are forced to pay the price. While it remains to be seen how much devastation Storm Éowyn will cause, it's clear that ordinary people should not be footing the bill. The Government must bring in policies to ensure that big polluters, like Shell and BP, pay for the damages that their reckless pursuit of profit is causing to people and the planet."

Let us know your thoughts on this news topic... Email our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com, alternatively please send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook, or Twitter.

Fact File:- Did you know Storm Eowyn was also named Storm Gilles in German?

Southport Pier Open Meeting announced to discuss ways of restoring national landmark

IF you live or work in Southport you might want to take notice that you have been invited to an Open Meeting to discuss ideas about restoring and reopening Southport Pier. This meeting is open to anyone interested in saving Southport Pier. If you are not already aware, this iconic landmark of Southport has been since December 2022 due to serious health and safety concerns.

On Friday, 31 January 2025, Silcock's Pier Family Restaurant on the Promenade, will be holding an event between:- 11 am and 12.30 pm, for people who eagerly want to see Southport Pier open once again, to hold an open discussion, and to seek ideas.

The organisers are fully supportive of Sefton Council's ambitions to see the Pier reopened, after the local authority submitted a full planning application for how the work can be carried out last year (2025).

This is not a fundraising event, it will not be seeking funding from anyone.

Silcock Leisure Group Head of Operations Serena Silcock-Prince said:- "Southport Pier is our Town's major landmark; it attracts so many visitors from across the country, and we all want to see people able to walk down it once again. Southport needs a boost. This would make such a huge difference to our Town. We have been greatly encouraged by Sefton Council submitting a full planning application outlining how the Pier can be repaired, and are appreciative of their consistent and firm backing they have demonstrated for restoration to be done. We appreciate that the costs involved, both in terms of restoration and ongoing maintenance, are significant. Southport Pier is a heritage landmark of national significance. It has been hosting visitors and supporting tourism in our Region ever since it opened in 1860. With growing pressures on Sefton Council budgets from priorities such as adult and children's social care, there is no way that Sefton would ever be able to find sufficient funding through their own finances. No local authority could. We need national support. Local residents and local businesses in Southport are fully behind Sefton Council's ambition to see Southport Pier restored and reopened, and we are keen to explore options about how we can help make that vision become a reality. Southport Pier stands proudly near the new Marine Lake Events Centre, a £73 million scheme which is being built thanks to Sefton Council, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Town Deal funding, which is so exciting for our Town. When it opens, MLEC will be a brand new landmark for our Region. Positive things are happening and we need that momentum to continue. The 1st visitors to see the new MLEC facility would be wowed by also seeing a restored Southport Pier nearby. We look forward to seeing everyone at our Open Meeting."

If you would like to attend, please reply via email:- Info@Silcock-Leisure.Co.UK.