Council workers prepare for Storm Eunice

As Storm Dudley continues to hit the UK with high winds and heavy rainfall, workers from Bridgend County Borough Council are already busy preparing for the arrival of Storm Eunice on Friday.

The Met office has upgraded its yellow ‘high winds’ warning to an amber ‘be prepared’ alert, and is advising people across the UK to expect severe disruption.

Some areas are expected to face 100mph winds while flooding, road closures and damage to property is likely to be widespread.

In Bridgend County Borough, crews are checking gulleys, culverts and drains to make sure they are clear before the storm arrives, and will also be preparing more than 3,500 sandbags which can be distributed to householders in the event of flooding.

Using equipment ranging from JCBs and chainsaws to specialist gulley jets, workers will be on duty throughout the storm to help keep roads open and homes, people and property safe.

The worst of Storm Dudley took place while people were asleep in bed, but Storm Eunice is likely to make itself known during the early hours of Friday and continue on all day until about 9pm at night. With coastal areas expected to receive the worst of the high winds, people are already being urged to avoid travelling or venturing out as much as possible.

Our council workers will be out in the worst of the storm once more, and will be making sure that people are safe, roads remain clear and damage is kept to a minimum.

The council will do all it can to keep things running smoothly, but I urge residents to plan ahead now, and to keep an eye on the news and social media for regular updates while the storm is underway.

Councillor Stuart Baldwin, Cabinet Member for Communities