People and businesses across the Channel Islands faced another morning of battering weather today (Thursday), with homeowners and company owners left counting the cost.
From structural damage caused by the winds to flooding caused by some of the highest tides combined with storm-force gusts, loss assessors are now being deployed to put a price tag on putting things right.
Homes along Guernsey’s west coast experienced widespread flooding on their grounds, while cars parked both there and on Jersey’s south coast were flooded out or smashed by debris coming over the sea wall.
A sea container was swept out to sea off Jersey’s north east coast sparking a major operation to tow it to shore to avoid danger to other sea user.
The road closures and rush hour jams of Wednesday were repeated on Thursday, with business leaders and schools advising workers, parents and pupils to prioritise safety over arriving on time.
- Watch: a flooded Garden in Guernsey is turned into an impromptu boating lake
- Watch: storm force winds and high tides lash Jersey’s south coast
As the ferocity of two days of wild weather receded, Guernsey Police reminded islanders on Thursday morning that the effects would continue to be felt.
They said: “Our colleagues at States Works have resumed pumping out surface water at Perelle. The coast road in this area remains shut and people are advised to take alternative routes. Due to diversions the inland areas near Cobo are experiencing high volumes of traffic.”
Storm force winds and high tides began hitting the islands hard in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) with high tide due at around 8am.
And while the strength of the winds and height of the tides isn’t quite as high as those which caused widespread damage and disruption on Wednesday, a shift in the wind direction plus the cumulative effect from yesterday, means authorities have been alerting commuters in particular to take extra care.
After two days of disruption, there was widespread praise for all those who’ve been working around the clock to keep the islands and islanders safe.
Jersey’s Chief Minister Senator Ian Gorst said: “Another difficult night for staff and volunteers. Hopefully our emergency services, honorary officers and Infrastructure staff will have a more peaceful time tonight. I’m extremely grateful for their work throughout the storm.”
Guernsey’s Chief Minister Deputy Gavin St Pier said: “A big shout out once again to all those working so hard as the bad weather continued overnight, with more forecast tonight. Thanks so much for keeping the island safe, moving and supplied.”
Throughout the storms, both Guernsey and Jersey Police kept people up to date through their Facebook and Twitter channels. After Wednesday morning’s high tide, Jersey Police posted footage of a stretch of the sea wall at West Park which was breached and caused damaged to cars parked in the layby:
[wpvideo TgBJAYgL]
Further along the coast, new sea defences at Beaumont were put to the test for the first time and they appeared to work exactly as planned.
A photograph shared by the Infrastructure Minister Deputy Eddie Noel shows, starkly, the difference they make. The new section actually deflects the waves back to sea, and did mean a flooding ‘hotspot’ remained dry.
- Watch more: video of Wednesday’s high tide in Jersey
- Watch more: video of flooded gardens being used for a boat trip in Guernsey
- In pictures: shipping container recovered off Jersey’s north east coast
Here’s the timeline of how events unfold on Thursday morning as the high tide and gale force winds hit:
6am: Guernsey Police say the Perelle coast road remains closed along with Rue Des Goddards, Castel.
6am: CT Plus in Guernsey say all services will completely avoid Pleinmont, Fort Grey, L’Eree, Perelle and Vazon Bay.
7.10am: Jersey Police report the westbound carriageway of Victoria Avenue is closed.
7.30am: LibertyBus warn of delays across Jersey’s bus network.
7.35am: Jersey Police say Havre des Pas coastal road closed.
7.40am: Le Mont de Ste Marie (St Mary side of Greve de Lecq hill) closed due to fallen tree.
7.55am: Drivers reporting traffic at a standstill in St Helier heading westbound from tunnel to underpass.
8am: Jersey Police say there is now no access to Greve de Lecq pier.
8.05am: Jersey Police report La Route de la Rosiere in St Mary closed due to a fallen tree, with no access to St Mary if driving up St Peter’s valley.
8.10am: Resident says Roseville Street closed due to sea water entering from Havre des Pas.
8.15am: Guernsey Police report water on to St Peter Port seafront, advising drivers to exercise extreme caution.
8.20am: LibertyBus say traffic on the Inner Road is at a standstill.
8.40am: Jersey Police report La Rue de la Garenne in Trinity blocked due a fallen tree.
8.50am: Jersey Met upgrade their weather warning saying severe gale force 9 winds are imminent.
Get live updates from Jersey Police here.
Get live updates from Guernsey Police here.
Get weather alerts for the Channel Islands here.
