Port Of Felixstowe Storm

Paul Woolston

Update/big storm: Orwell Bridge closed, no Greater Anglia trains until 10am as St Judes storm gets stronger

Greater Anglia have announced there will be no train services until at least 10am as St Judes becomes fiercer.

Travellers are asked not to attempt to travel before this as there are no replacement bus services.

People are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys this morning due to the effects of the storm.

The Orwell Bridge has been closed in both directions due to high winds for several hours now.

The closure is from J55 the Copdock Interchange to J58 in Bucklesham, the two junctions with the A12

This has already caused parts of Ipswich to become almost gridlocked as cars and container lorries try to rejoin the A14.

Diversions have been put in place through Ipswich, with eastbound traffic following the solid triangle signs and westbound the solid circle signs.

Both diversions take travellers along the A1214 Colchester Road, A1189 Heath Road/Bixley Road and A1156 Felixstowe Road.

This means there is alos likely to be delays through the county town as traffic picks up.

Additionally, fallen trees across the county are causing localised delays as more and more roads become blocked.

John French

AIS user? interesting the see the number of large and small ships steaming at about 3 to 6 knots in the middle of the southern North Sea . . Reckon its a better risk that hanging on to your ground tackle sitting in the Sunk or other deep water anchorage with the coming storm . . .

Storm force winds are due to hit the region tomorrow morning prompting major road and rail disruption.

Winds of up to 70mph – or even faster in some places – are due to arrive atthe same time as the morning rush-hour, causing chaos for those trying to head to work.

The threat of high winds has already prompted the suspension of the region’s rail network and the closure of the Orwell Bridge.

The storm arrived across southern Britain after rushing across the Atlantic from Newfoundland over the weekend.

Jim Bacon from Norwich-based Weatherquest said this year’s gales are following a similar path to the Great Storm of 1987 – and there are similarities to that.

“It’s coming after a period of wet weather which has left the ground saturated, and come at the same time of the year when there are leaves on the trees.

“But the depression at the heart of the storm is not as deep as that in 1987. It has the potential to cause problems but I don’t think it will be on that scale.”

Speaking on tonight, Mr Bacon said he expected the height of the storm to cross Suffolk and north Essex between about 6am and 9am – and that the winds would ease significantly after that.

Another difference between this year’s storm and 1987 are the warnings that have been published before its arrival.

East of England

Forecast Summary

• This Evening and Tonight

  Heavy and persistent rain will spread to the region during the evening, coupled with strengthening winds. Winds strengthening further towards dawn, with potentially damaging gusts and squally showers.
  
  

  Video/gallery: St Jude storm is fast approaching

  
  
  Heavy showers have been reported across the region and the winds have been whipping the crisp autumnal leaves around the streets of Suffolk and Essex. But despite the autumnal nip, families have been making the most of the relative calm before the storm.

  In Thorpeness, the Durrant family took to the beach for a bracing walk.

  And at Felixstowe, iwitness member Linda Bohea captured yachtsman making the most of the strong winds.

  The latest forecasts suggest we are in for heavy showers from around 10pm, with the wind taking hold in earnest in the early hours of the morning.

  Wind speeds tomorrow could top 40mph in parts of Suffolk and along the Essex coast.

  Are you prepared for the storm? See our websites for updates on storm damage, advice on emergency precautions and the very latest forecasts.