Storm Doris is sweeping through Nottinghamshire causing trees to come down, trains to be disrupted and public parks and markets to close.
The Met Office issued an amber alert for a ‘weather bomb’ called Storm Doris which has already topped speeds of 87mph in the Republic of Ireland and 72mph in Wales.
The storm has been upgraded to an ‘explosive cyclogenisis’, or weather bomb, which has the potential to damage buildings.
Heavy rain and snow has been forecast but the weather is not expected to last long.
A tree has fallen onto Sneinton Boulevard in Nottingham completely blocking the road and landing on parked cars.
The road has been closed in both directions at the junction with Port Arthur Road.
Blimey. Just came across blocking my route to work. Only been down 5 minutes – Sneinton Boulevard #Nottingham #DorisDay pic.twitter.com/mAJnzfzZKt
— Peter Bearne (@pbearneITV) February 23, 2017
Expert on natural hazards at Nottingham Trent University Dr Steven Godby says that these type of storms ‘are not unusual in the UK.’
He said: “The last storm comparable to Doris caused widespread disruption across the country on 3 January 2012, with the worst affected area being the Central Belt of Scotland where winds gusted at well over 80mph.
“That storm tracked across the north of Scotland, but the centre of Doris is passing over the north of England, bringing its core of strong winds further south to affect the Midlands across to the Wash.
“These wind speeds bring the risk of structural damage to property, falling trees and branches, interruptions to power supplies and dangerous driving conditions with restrictions on bridges to high-sided vehicles likely.
“Heavy snow will also be a hazard in southern Scotland and parts of northern England for a time as well.
“People should listen to the latest forecast and follow the advice being issued by the authorities, particularly before they travel – the reason these types of storms are now named by the Met Office is to help make warnings more effective.”
Doris has also affected trains on the London to Nottingham route, with commuters experiencing delays of up to an hour.
East Midlands Trains have advised commuters not to travel by train.
#EMTUpdate: Our trains are disrupted because of damage to overhead lines and #StormDoris our advice is not to travel today.
— East Midlands Trains (@EMTrains) February 23, 2017
East Midlands Trains said in a statement this morning: “All of our trains on the route cannot run in either direction between London and Luton.
“At present we have no estimate of when the line will fully reopen or when our normal train service is expected to resume on the affected route.”
In an update, the company says technicians are at the scene trying to fix the wires, allowing some lines to reopen, but services will be disrupted all day.
#EMTUpdate We have no trains running in to London because of damage to the overhead wires at #StAlbans more info ttp://emt.do/c7Ye309he8g
— East Midlands Trains (@EMTrains) February 23, 2017
East Midlands Trains is arranging replacement buses to transport passengers from London St Pancras to Nottingham, via Leicester.
Notts TV reported yesterday that Storm Doris has forced Sherwood Forest visitor centre and Rufford Abbey and Park to close.
Video: The weather forecast for Notts
The winds have also affected flights to and from East Midlands Airport delaying some flights.
The Wheel of Nottingham has closed, along with Mansfield Market, Bingham Market, Newark Market and Bestwood Country Park.
Some residents in Carrington have been left ‘upset’ by the incidents that Doris has caused.
@voiceoverartist It’s also raging through Nottingham, causing similar havoc. pic.twitter.com/FkaP61iUts
— Sol Baish (@SolBaish) February 23, 2017
@JBarlow95_ @voiceoverartist haha! Carrington. You may, but suggest an advisory note of potentially upsetting scenes.
— Sol Baish (@SolBaish) February 23, 2017
Elsewhere three of four lanes on the M1 southbound are shut between junctions 26 and 25 in Nottinghamshire near Trowell.
Debris fell from a gantry over the motorway and engineers are on-site trying to repair the damage.
Motorists are being advised to avoid the route completely as the lanes are not expected to re-open before rush hour.
Storm Doris this afternoon brought Alfreton Road to a close.
Strong winds damaged a derelict building, sending shards of glass flying.
At 2pm (February 23) both lanes of the busy road were closed between Boden Street and Highurst Street.
The road has since been reopened in both directions.
