Three flood alerts are in place that could have an impact on Lincolnshire, as the county braces itself for the impact of Storm Eunice on Friday and over the weekend.
An amber weather warning, including in Lincolnshire, will remain in place until 9pm on Friday, February 18.
The Met Office said Storm Eunice “may cause significant disruption due to extremely strong winds”.
Wind speeds of around 50mph have already been observed over Lincolnshire and this is expected to increase.
The Humber Bridge will close to all traffic from 1.30pm, but it is not known when it will reopen. It is likely to be closed for several hours and it is advised to avoid the area.
A spokesperson for Lincolnshire County Council told The Lincolnite that by 11.30am on Friday the council had received three reports of flooding.
All three reports were attended and it turned out none of them needed any attention.
There are no road closures in place as a result of Storm Eunice at the time of publication, but emergency highways crews remain on standby as and when they are needed.
Winds are starting to pick up over at HQ, with the Airwave mast starting to play a merry tune as gusts go past
So far only 1 incident has been raised relating to the weather, but we hit the expected worst of it for the county now over the next few hours.#StaySafe#StormEunicepic.twitter.com/BEfHvfGz0a
A flood alert has been put in place for the River Trent from Cromwell Weir to Gainsborough after river levels rose at the Torksey river gauge.
By the time of publication, there are also flood alerts close listed as affecting Lincolnshire at the Humber estuary from Spurn Point to Winestead Outfall, and the North Sea coast at Withernsea, Easington and Kilnsea – see the latest flood alert information here.
A flood alert was put in place for the River Trent from Cromwell Weir to Gainsborough. | Photo: GOV.UK
TRAFFIC ALERT: Due to very high winds forecast today the Humber Bridge is to close to all traffic from 1.30pm. We can’t say when it will reopen but it’s likely to be closed for several hours. Please avoid the area. Further updates will be posted on our website & social media.
Storm Eunice will affect our services today across most routes. Our trains will run at reduced speeds and this will cause cancellations and longer journey times. You should complete your journey on Sat 19th, Sun 20th, or Mon 21st if possible #StormEunicehttps://t.co/NCKj7wbLIR
Don't underestimate how powerful this current storm is. If it is not essential to leave the house today then stay indoors.
Roof tiles having the potential to fly through the air at alarming speeds. These become dangerous assault weapons which can cause serious injury or death. pic.twitter.com/NNPyDOhakQ
— East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (@EMASNHSTrust) February 18, 2022
Good Morning from Control White Watch.
Some useful numbers: Fallen trees – call 101 Power issues/fallen cables – call 105 Gas pipe damage – 0800 111 999 Floodline – 01522782082 #StormEunice#StaySafe
The Met Office said to expect the following during the period of the amber weather warning for wind:
There is a good chance that flying debris could result in a danger to life
Damage to buildings and homes is likely, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down
Roads, bridges and railway lines are likely to close, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights
There is a good chance that power cuts, possibly prolonged, could occur , perhaps affecting other services, such as mobile phone coverage
Large waves are likely and beach material is likely to be thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties, and flooding of some coastal properties seems likely
It is likely there will be falling branches and some uprooted trees
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With a voice recognised across the globe, Colin McFarlane stands as one of the biggest stars to come out of Lincoln.
Star of stage and screen, Colin spoke to The Lincolnite Podcast this week, to discuss his work, family, and his own roots in the city.
Colin has starred in major motion pictures including ‘Batman Begins’ and ‘The Dark Knight’, and also voices characters in iconic children’s TV shows Peppa Pig and Hey Duggee.
When asked about his association with Lincoln, Colin told host Ronnie Byrne about moving to the city as a child with an RAF family.
While spending most of his time in London, Colin regularly makes the journey to North Hykeham, where his parents still live.
Colin also gives examples of the many voices he does for television shows, including the iconic voice from ‘The Cube’ in both the UK and the USA.
Listen to the full interview here:
The interview comes in the same week Colin hosted the Lincolnshire Business Excellence Awards, celebrating the best businesses across the county, in a variety of different sectors.
A review of South Kesteven District Council’s constitution – which opposition members have accused of limiting democracy – has been passed.
However, senior councillors have promised to take the document back to the drawing board to address a number of concerns raised about the document.
The review aimed to tidy up inconsistent anomalies within the constitution which had created confusion during meetings.
Conservative Councillor Linda Wootten, who led on the latest revisions, told the council: “The key principle of this review has been openness, transparency, and engagement, engagement.”
She said there had been a number of workshops and chances to make comments on the changes, and added: “I’ve been quite perturbed today that I’ve had lots of amendments and papers stuffed on my desk, which has got rather confusing.
“I was also a bit upset to be quite honest that the democratic officer has been running around trying to accommodate it all and I do apologise for that.”
Key issues revolved mainly around planning, including the amount of time councillors had to speak, the order of speakers and when ward councillors who neighboured applications’ borders could speak.
However, questions were also raised about a new requirement to submit questions in advance.
Independent Councillor Ashley Baxter said: “We are supposed to be enhancing openness and scrutiny.
“This has been changed so that the leader and the chair of cabinet can, at his discretion, quash people from asking difficult questions at cabinet… this is a backward step.
“I don’t want any rule changes. I don’t think it’s right to reduce the amount of accessibility and scrutiny for this council and that’s why I oppose these.”
Councillor Virginia Moran said the changes were “substantive”.
“We’re basically making ourselves less and less accessible and that’s not the way to go,” she said.
“If anything we should make ourselves more accessible and make members of the public feel more welcome to come and talk to us.”
Several amendments to the changes were, however, withdrawn following a long discussion on the document after the chairman of the Constitution Committee, Conservative Councillor Mark Whittington promised to iron out problems.
Calling the document a “living” one, he said: “What we have now is a new baseline constitution.
“If, through usage, we do find there are still problems and issues with it I am more than open to looking at how we may resolve those going forward,” he said.