Storm Ciarán has brought very strong and potentially damaging winds of up to 60mph to Surrey along with heavy rain on Thursday (November 2). There are two yellow weather warnings in place across the Southeast that cover a 30-hour period and the Met Office has warned flying debris means there is a “danger to life".
Travel disruption is likely and people have been told they should work from home if possible. Train operators have brought in temporary timetable changes, which South Western Railway (SWR) said has been done “as a precaution”.
Network Rail Wessex said: “Storm Ciarán is highly likely to disrupt train services late Wednesday night and all day Thursday.” National Highways has also issued a severe weather alert for gales that will impact road networks across the region.
Read more: Train passengers told to work from home as Storm Ciaran causes rail disruption
Read more: Bonfire Night weather in Surrey for fireworks as Met Office issues verdict on Storm Ciarán
The Met Office added that damage to buildings could happen, power cuts may occur, and communities may be cut off by flooded roads. The forecaster has upgraded its wind warning to amber 11 miles from the Surrey border.
Follow our live Storm Ciarán blog for the latest weather and travel updates as we have them. If you have been impacted by the storm or have photos you would like to share, please email kieran.graves@reachplc.com
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Photos show how Storm Ciaran has wreaked havoc across the UK
Gusts of more than 100mph have left thousands of homes without power, forced school closures and caused travel chaos after Storm Ciaran battered the south of England and the Channel Islands. Damage to properties in Jersey meant some had to evacuate their homes and seek refuge in a hotel, with one woman saying hailstones “bigger than a golf ball” had broken her windows.
Floods minister says emergency services 'working incredibly hard'
Floods Minister Rebecca Pow said: “I am grateful to the emergency services teams across the country working incredibly hard to respond to Storm Ciaran which continues to bring strong winds and rain across the south coast.
“Potential flooding risks remain across the country with river levels remaining high with large waves at the coast and saturated ground. Environment Agency teams are on the ground operating assets, clearing rivers and debris from falling trees and working with partners to support residents in communities at risk or recently affected by flooding.
“We have activated our Emergency Operations Centre, and are supporting the Cabinet Office to coordinate the government response.”
Trains expected to get back to normal tomorrow
Southeastern have said on X (formally Twitter) that they expect all of their routes to open tommorow. Their lines have been impacted by the severe weather in the region. Passengers who could not travel today can use tickets dated today ( November 2) to travel tommorow or get a free refund. on their website
Map of every Flood Alert in Surrey
Flood alerts have been put in place near the M25, M23, and M3. Read more here.
Photos show fallen trees and flooding across Surrey
Drivers and passengers rescued from floodwater
Drivers and passengers were resuced from their vehicles in after getting stuck in floodwater under a bridge in Haslemere in the early hours of this morning. Firefighters from Grayshott helped their colleagues in Surrey rescue a driver from a car in Haslemere at 3am before they then rescued four people from another car stuck in floodwater.
Photos from the Great Storm of 1987 show damage across Surrey
Archive photos from 1987 show damage spread across Surrey during the Great Storm.
A3 blocked in both directions after three-vehicle accident
The A3 has been blocked in both directions after an accident that reportedly involves two cars and a van. The incident happened north of Guildford.
Traffic cameras from the scene show a white car has left the road and emergency services are at the scene. Travel service Inrixe reported:
A3 in both directions closed, long delays due to accident, two cars and a van involved between A3100 Clay Lane (Burpham) and B2039 Ockham Road North (Ockham Park, Ripley). With one of the vehicles through the central reservation, just before 12:00.
You can follow more updates in our live traffic blog
Power restored to homes in Ashtead
Power has been restored to homes hit by a power cut in Ashtead, UK Power Networks has confirmed. Engineers reported the issue was caused by an underground electricity cable that faulted on the high voltage network. This caused an area-wide outage. A spokesperson apologised for the disruption caused.
Train stuck near Gomshall rescued
Network Rail has worked to rescue a train that had been stuck near Gomshall. The body said its engineers are working around the clock to keep the railway safe and clear of obstacles.
UPDATE: Our teams rescued an earlier train that was stuck near #Gomshall.
— Network Rail Wessex (@NetworkRailWssx) November 2, 2023
Our engineers and mobile operations managers have been working around the clock to make sure the railway is clear of any obstacles, fallen trees, debris etc. to allow @SW_Help to run safely. https://t.co/kB3eVhKvqa pic.twitter.com/Cxkkug8D4X
Engineers investigating cause of Ashtead powercut
Engineers are now on-site and are carrying out investigations into the fault that has caused the Ashtead power cut. a spokesperson for UK Power Networks said:
Once they have completed their assessment, they will carry out repairs.
Trains to run at reduced speed due to flooding near Ash
Flooding on the railway between Ash and Wanborough has reoccurred, according to SWR. It means trains on all lines will have to run at a reduced speed.
Unfortunately, the heavy rain flooding the railway between Ash and Wanborough has reoccurred and trains have to run at reduced speed on all lines.
— SWR Help (@SW_Help) November 2, 2023
Disruption is expected until 12:00
More information: https://t.co/imkvCCexC2
550 homes without power in Ashtead
A power cut in Ashtead has left more than 550 homes without power (November 2) in the KT21 postcode. Engineers are said to be on the way but disruption is expected until 4.30pm to 5.30pm, according to UK Power Networks. A spokesperson said:
We became aware of this power cut at 10:12. We’re sorry for any disruption this may have caused you. We didn’t know in advance there would be a power cut, but now that we know, our teams will do everything they can to get your power back quickly.
They added:
Our engineers are on their way. We believe the issue is an underground network fault that initially interrupted power to 1503 properties. However, we have managed to divert power back to some properties, so 565 properties are still affected.
Paramedics thanked for work in challenging conditions
South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) has thanked its workers and volunteers for their ongoing work in "challenging conditions". It has also urged people to help manage demand.
Thank you to all our staff and volunteers working hard to respond to patients in challenging conditions
— South East Coast Ambulance (@SECAmbulance) November 2, 2023
Please help us manage demand by:
Keeping 999 for emergencies
Using NHS 111 Online for help and advice
Checking on vulnerable family, friends or neighbours pic.twitter.com/rA0uSN4M2Y
Farmers 'unfairly shoulder burden' as floods damage crops
The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) - a membership organisation that represents property owners in rural areas - has warned of a "massive impact" on farming and the countryside as a result of flooding. It said crops can be damaged and rural communities cut off and blamed "years of poor management of watercourses and flood defences". Regional Director Tim Bamford said:
Flooding can have a massive impact on farming and the countryside, with crops damaged and rural communities often cut off.
Years of poor management of watercourses and flood defences by the Environment Agency, often caused by lack of resources, mean farmers are still unfairly shouldering the burden of flooding devastation.
Landowners don’t receive compensation when the Environment Agency effectively floods their fields to protect downstream houses and villages, despite the harm to their crops and livelihoods.
And when farmers do attempt to implement flood prevention techniques, they face lengthy authorisation delays and costs, creating a lose-lose situation.
Weather warnings for wind and rain updated by Met Office
The yellow weather warning for wind in place across Surrey has been updated by the Met Office and will now end at 5pm. It was previously in place until midnight. The amber warning for wind that had been in place across Sussex close to the Surrey border has now been reduced and covers the south and east coast of Kent.
Surrey in the eye of the storm
A rain radar map from the Met Office shows Surrey is currently in the eye of the storm. It means that more rain and wind will be on the way letter on Thursday (November 2).
Network Rail removing fallen trees from train lines
Trees fell on train lines at Gomshall this morning between Guildford and Gatwick Airport. Network Rail shared pictures of workers removing the obstructions.
M23 lanes reopened after flooding
All lanes on the M23 southbound have reopened after earlier flooding between Junctions 7 and 8, according to Inrix. There had previously been a lane closed.
Where 10 flood alerts have been issued across Surrey
A total of 10 flood alerts are currently in place across Surrey with areas including Guildford, Farnham, Virginia Water, Leatherhead, and Dorking warned they could be impacted.
- Chertsey Bourne - Virginia Water, Thorpe, Chertsey
- Cranleigh Waters - Ewhurst Green, Cranleigh
- Redhill Brook at Redhill and Salfords Stream at Salfords - Redhill, South Mersham, Salfords
- River Blackwater and The Cove Brook - Frimley, Ash Vale, Ash
- River Mole and its tributaries from Kinnersley Manor to South Hersham - Cobham, Stoke D'abernon, Leatherhead, Mickleham, Dorking, Reigate
- Rivers Eden and Eden Brook - Crowhurst, Lingfield, Godstone
- River Thames from Hampton and Thames Ditton to Teddington - East Molesey, Thames Ditton, Hampton
- Upper River Mole, Ifield Brook, Gatwick Stream and Burstow Stream - Gatwick, Charlwood, Horley
- Upper River Wey - Godalming, Farnham, Guildford
- Windle Brook and Hale, Mill and Addlestone Bournes - Addlestone, Chobham, Lightwater, Bagshot
M25 traffic moving after temporary hold
Traffic on the M25 anticlockwise past the Clacket Lane Services is moving again after a temporary hold due to an accident. One lane remains shut and congestion has built for two miles. Inrix said:
Queueing traffic for two miles and one lane closed due to earlier accident on M25 anticlockwise from Clacket Lane Services to J5 M26 / A21. Lane one (of four) is closed, following a full hold a mile after the services.
M23 lane closed due to flooding
A southbound lane on the M23 has been closed due to flooding from Junction 7 to Junction 8. Inrix reported:
One lane closed due to flooding on M23 Southbound from J7 A23 London Road North to J8 M25. Traffic is coping well.
All traffic held on M25 due to accident
All traffic has been held on the M25 anticlockwise from the Clacket Lane Services due to an accident. Inrix reported:
All traffic being temporarily held and stationary traffic due to accident on M25 anticlockwise from Clacket Lane Services to J5 M26 / A21. About a mile after the Services.
Stagecoach bus stuck due to fallen tree
Stagecoach has warned its 7:15am 63X service from Horsham to Guildford will not be running. This is due to a fallen tree that has meant the bus is stuck on the road between Grove Road and Ellens Green.
Painshill announces 'severe weather' closure
Painshill landscaped garden near Cobham has confirmed it will remain closed on Thursday (November 2) due to a "severe weather forecast". Visitors who have tickets can expect to be contacted.
Due to the severe weather forecast, Painshill will be CLOSED on Thursday 2nd November.
— Painshill (@Painshill) November 1, 2023
Visitors who have booked tickets for this date will be contacted as soon as possible.
We hope to re-open on Friday but please do check here before travelling to Painshill.
Stay safe. pic.twitter.com/QfQibhN7Qk
RHS Garden Wisley closed due to forecast of 'damaging winds'
RHS Garden Wisley has confirmed it will shut on Thursday (November 2) for the safety of visitors and staff. This is due to the forecast "high damaging winds". A spokesperson for the garden announced on Wednesday night (November 2):
The weather forecast for tomorrow predicts high damaging winds. For the safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers, the gardens will sadly have to close.
Fortunately the weather forecasts are better for Friday 3 November and we expect them to re-open for everyone to enjoy.
They added:
Anyone who had booked a ticket for tomorrow is welcome to use it over the next three months, or refunds are available by contacting RHS Wisley. Our apologies for any inconvenience.
Full details of the closure can be found here.
Amber severe weather alert for gales issued by National Highways
Road agency National Highways has put an amber severe weather alert for gales in place across the Southeast until midday. It means drivers in the region have been advised to check ahead of their journeys and plan for disruption. National Highways said:
Storm Ciarán is going to bring a swathe of very strong winds across the Southeast region. While the wind is expected to be around 50-60mph in the northern half of the region, it will be much stronger along south coastal routes, with 65-75mph between Bournemouth and Ramsgate. The wind will gradually decrease from the west during the afternoon to become confined to Folkestone and Ramsgate by the evening.
