Storm Ciarán: Power cuts and roads flooded in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex

  • Weather expert Aisling Creevey gives the latest on Storm Ciarán, as of Thursday morning

Hundreds of homes are without power, roads are flooded, and dozens of schools are shut as Storm Ciarán hits the East of England.

The Met Office earlier issued an amber "danger to life" wind warning along the Essex coast - but that has been downgraded to a yellow warning spanning the coastline, also covering Norfolk and Suffolk.

Suffolk, which was badly hit by flooding during Storm Babet, has two flood warnings in place, around the Haverhill area.

There's also a flood warning for the Norfolk villages on the River Bure, Ant and Thurne.

More than 80 schools in Suffolk and four schools in Norfolk have closed, with many citing travel difficulties for students and parents.

Suffolk

Haverhill Police, on the Suffolk-Essex border, advised people to stay home if possible, saying "the roads are already flooded in the same locations as the last storm".

The A14 Orwell Bridge over the River Orwell near Ipswich is shut, with National Highways saying it is expected to reopen by around noon. The authority said wind speeds have dropped but heavy rainfall continues.

  • Flooding on the A14 Rougham area at around 7.15am on Thursday. Credit Debs Bound

The A12 Southbound is closed due to an overturned lorry, between Belstead and Capel St Mary. Authorities say there was another incident earlier, though to be caused by flooding.

An overturned lorry on the A12 in Suffolk during Storm Ciaran Credit: Simon Squint Souster

More than a dozen roads are reported to have flooded.

And Mill Street in Mildenhall was blocked due to a fallen tree between Station Road and Ship Gardens.

A landslide in Bures, which straddles Suffolk and Essex, led to Greater Anglia trains being suspended between Marks Tey and Sudbury earlier.

Flooding in Suffolk during Storm Ciaran Credit: ITV News Anglia

Essex

Meanwhile in the early hours of Thursday morning, Essex Police warned fallen trees may cause disruption in the Uttlesford area.

The force tweeted: "Clatterbury Lane is closed between The Cricketers and The Fox and Hound.

"This is due to a large tree across the road. Essex Highways are aware. Please avoid the area."

Traffic monitoring websites also reported that a fallen tree in the Harwich area had blocked the B1414 Oakley Road in both directions between Low Road and Mayes Lane in Little Oakley.

Norfolk

The Broads Authority warned boaters not to go on the water if possible as fast-flowing water posed a danger to life.

“We are advising boaters not to navigate during the storm if possible, and to expect high-water levels to remain long after the storm recedes,” said Lucy Burchnall, head of ranger services.

They added that boats should be tied securely or moored in a sensible place.

A worker cleaning up bits of trees in Storm Ciaran Credit: ITV News Anglia

The Met Office said its amber weather warning for the Essex coast meant powerful winds may "disrupt travel, utilities, and cause some structural damage."

There is the potential for large waves on the coast, power cuts and disruption to rail services.

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