New Forest District Council and BCP Council urge residents to stay safe as they announce protocols ahead of the arrival of Storm Ciarán
NEW Forest and Christchurch residents are being urged to take extra precautions ahead of the arrival of Storm Ciarán.
Gusts of up to 85mph could hit the area, the Met Office has warned, along with thundery showers, resulting in a disruption to travel and utilities.
It has also warned flying debris could pose a danger to life and cause structural damage to buildings.
In the New Forest, the district council has said its priority will be to ensure the continuation of essential services and housing teams will be on hand to respond to urgent repair requests at council-owned properties.
Black and clear sack recycling and waste collections are planned to go ahead tomorrow (Thursday), but the situation will be “monitored closely”, with any changes added to the NFDC website.
A spokesperson said: “There may also be changes to usual timings, with crews arriving up to an hour earlier than usual to avoid heavy winds.
“If your collection does not take place, NFDC are advising that waste is brought in and placed out for collection on your next scheduled collection day.”
As coastal regions are particularly vulnerable to strong winds, heavy waves, and potential flooding, the council is advising people to avoid these areas and have closed public toilets in such areas.
The spokesperson added: “The advice is, during the storm, to minimise travel, not visit the coast, and avoid walking along beaches and cliffs.
"Some coastal footpaths and steps may need to be closed at short notice [and] the coastal team will visit sites on Friday to assess the impact of the storm.”
Updates on services can be found at www.newforest.gov.uk/StormCiaran
BCP Council has released similar advice and is suggesting residents check local conditions before travelling across the area, as it says forecasted weather may force road closures.
Parents are being advised to check on individual school websites for the latest updates regarding any potential closures and residents should secure any loose objects in gardens and driveways ahead of the storm’s arrival. The council is also asking for members of the public to report any urgent tree issues which may cause disruption on the highways.
As the storm sweeps in, the council and homeless charity St Mungo’s have activated its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) to provide emergency shelter to anyone sleeping rough tonight (Wednesday).
Residents with a scheduled refuse collection on Thursday are asked to avoid putting their bin out overnight, to avoid them being blown over and waste falling into the street during the storm.
Residents are also asked to bring their bins back onto their property as soon as possible once they have been emptied.
BCP leader, Cllr Vikki Slade, said: “Across the council, our teams are preparing for the impact of Storm Ciarán, as well as the aftermath, which is likely to be extensive – and I want to thank these teams in advance for their hard work over the next few days.
“Making sure our residents stay safe is our priority, so please report any issues caused by the storm to us, and if you’re concerned about anyone sleeping rough during this time, please do ring the relevant number so our teams can encourage them inside.”
She added: “During the storm, we’re asking for people to stay away from the coast and check in on any elderly or vulnerable neighbours wherever possible.
“Our teams are ready to respond in all weathers and working alongside partners will be managing the impact of the storm over the next few days.”
Service updates and details of how to report flooding and fallen trees can be found at https://bit.ly/3FHjdkd
