Storm Debi is set to batter the North East on Monday with winds of 70-80mph and heavy rain expected across the region.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind between 4am and 6am on Monday November 13. The warning coversall our areas, from County Durham and Sunderland up to Tyneside and Northumberland.
The Met Office is warning that Storm Debi could cause damage to some buildings, and a danger to life from flying debris. It said that the severe weather could also lead to some disruption with the risk of road closures and cancelled rail, air and ferry services.
The warning states: "Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible. Some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, could happen. Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible.
You can follow the latest updates below.
Rural insurer urges people to be "on their guard" against Storm Debi
Rural insurer NFU Mutual is urging people to be on their guard against Storm Debi as it has received more than 1,800 claims from recent storms.
Andrew Chalk, rural insruance specialist at NFU Mutual, said:
" We know isolated rural communities, farms and dwellings are more at risk from extreme weather and hitting shortly after Storms Babet and Ciaran, we’re urging people not to underestimate the potential for destruction during Storm Debi. We’ve received over 1,800 claims relating to storm damage in recent weeks, which goes to show just how widespread the impact of these storms can be.
“NFU Mutual has again activated its storm plan, with loss adjusters and repair networks stood up for an influx of claims and our Agents in communities across the UK ready to assist customers, but we implore everyone not to take unnecessary risks. Safety for farmers, family members and workers should always be the number one priority and while fully understanding the pressures farmers and rural businesses are under, it is vital they avoid taking risks which could lead to injury or fatalities.
“Farmers can consider moving livestock to higher ground to protect them from flood water as well as moving machinery and electrical items. It is also worth checking alternative fuel and power sources in case of a power cut or disruption, such as making sure generators are in working condition and able to run at full load for long periods of time.
“For those living in rural areas, consider removing loose furniture from gardens where possible and keep doors and windows securely shut. Also move cars away from branches, tiles or walls if you can.”
Wind picking up in and around Newcastle now
Wind and rain is picking up in and around Newcastle.
'A sign of more frequent and extreme weather to come'
Greenpeace has described the more frequent storms as a sign of more frequent and dangerous extreme weather to come with climate change.
Northern Ireland hit by high winds and heavy rain from Storm Debi
High winds and rain from Storm Debi were causing road closures and disruption to public transport across Northern Ireland. Police have urged people to stay at home, with a yellow weather warning in place until 2pm.
The Met Office said Storm Debi would track across the region, with gusts of around 65mph expected through Co Antrim and Co Down. One of the highest gusts recorded on Monday morning was a wind speed of 74mph at Killowen in Co Down.
NIE Networks said about 2,000 customers were without power, mainly around Craigavon, Newry and Downpatrick. A number of roads were closed in the Ballymena area due to fallen trees and the Department for Infrastructure said there were reports of a landslip on the A2 Shore Road in Glenarm.
Cars struggled through flood water on roads surrounding Cookstown in Co Tyrone, while SDLP councillor Malachy Quinn said a woman in Coalisland had lifted her child over her head as floodwater impacted the King’s Row area. The PSNI have also warned of floods in South Belfast.
Storm Debi causes disruption on Scottish railways
Network Rail Scotland has put speed limits in place as a result of the weather. Trains are unable to run on the line between Dumfries and Sanquhar as a result of heavy flooding.
A restriction is already in place as a result of the weather on the West Highland line between Garelochhead and Crianlarich. Parts of north-east Scotland likely to see heavy rain were also battered by Storm Babet last month, including Brechin in Angus, where hundreds of homes had to be evacuated after the river South Esk breached its banks.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Network Rail said: “Storm Debi isn’t expected to impact our network as much as recent storms but the high winds & heavy rain do mean that we need to limit train speeds on a few sections of track from 17:00 today until 08:00 tomorrow on several sections of track between Montrose & Portlethen and also between Huntly and Insch. Additionally, a speed restriction is already in place on the West Highland Line until 08:30 tomorrow between Garelochhead and Crianlarich."
Gusts of more than 70mph recorded
Gusts of 77mph were recorded in Gwynedd, 74mph at Killowen in Northern Ireland and 68mph on the Isle of Man as the low pressure system moved across the Irish Sea.
Yellow weather warnings for wind and rain remain in place for parts of the North East until 6pm.
Irish postwoman taken to hospital after being hit by flying debris in storm
An Irish postwoman was taken to hospital after being hit by flying debris in County Limerick during Storm Debi, according to the Irish postal service.
A statement from An Post confirmed that she was not seriously injured.
More on that weather warning
A fresh yellow weather warning was issued for Northumberland and Durham, where heavy rain is expected until 6pm this evening.
The Met Office said:
"Storm Debi will bring periods of heavy rain, accentuated by strong to gale force winds, to much of north and northwest England today, before clearing this evening. Many places in the warning area will see 20-30mm, with some higher ground of the Pennines and Lake District seeing 40-55mm."
Earliest point in storm season the letter D has been reached in the alphabet.
Storm Debi marks the earliest point in a storm season the letter D has been reached in the alphabet. Storm seasons run from the start of September to the end of the following August.
The Met Office began naming storms in 2015. Before 2023, the earliest month in which the letter D had been reached was December, which happened in 2015 (Desmond), 2017 (Dylan) and 2018 (Deirdre).
The named storms in this year’s season so far are Agnes (September 2023), Babet (October), Ciaran (November) and now Debi.
Yellow weather warning for rain to come into effect at 11am.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for North East England.
Heavy rain associated with the passage of Storm Debi will cause some local disruption. It will bring periods of heavy rain, accentuated by strong to gale force winds, to much of north and northwest England today, before clearing this evening. Many places in the warning area will see 20-30 mm, with some higher ground of the Pennines and Lake District seeing 40-55 mm.
What to expect
- Flooding of a few homes and businesses is likely
- Bus and train services probably affected with journey times taking longer
- Spray and flooding on roads probably making journey times longer
- Some interruption to power supplies and other services likely
Northern Powergrid 'tracking' Storm Debi
Northern Powergrid is tracking Storm Debi today. Anyone affected by powercuts can call 105.
'If travel is essential, be prepared for delays'
National Highways has warned drivers to be prepared for delays.
Large puddles on Jesmond Road
There are huge puddles building up on Jesmond Road
Storm Debi hits Jesmond
A cyclist feels the force of a puddle on Jesmond Road
A grey start at Tynemouth
It was a grey start at Tynemouth earlier as Storm Debi brought wind and rain
Storm Debi at the coast
Tynemouth on Monday morning
100,000 homes without power in Ireland.
Storm Debi made landfall on Ireland overnight and has left approximately 100,000 homes and businesses without power. Much of Ireland is covered by a red wind warning.
Highways England advice for motorists before setting off on a journey
Highways England have issued advice for motorists planning to travel during a wind weather warning. It’s important to plan your journey in advance, particularly if you’re travelling on routes you’re not familiar with.
- Plan your route
- Check the availability of service areas along your route
- Make sure you know how to operate your headlights and fog lights
- Check your vehicle
- Pack a seasonal kit
- Check the weather forecast. If strong winds are expected, consider delaying your journey until it clears.
- During periods of extreme weather, adjust when you travel to avoid the worst days and times of day if possible
- Check traffic conditions on our website and on Twitter
Hour-by-hour weather forecast for the North East
Here is today's hour-by-hour Met Office weather forecast for the North East:
8am: Heavy rain, 8°C, chance of rain: ≥95%, wind speed (mph): 26
9am: Heavy rain, 8°C, chance of rain: ≥95%, wind speed (mph): 27
10am: Heavy rain, 9°C, chance of rain: 90%, wind speed (mph): 26
11am: Light rain, 9°C, chance of rain: 50%, wind speed (mph): 23
12pm: Overcast, 9°C, chance of rain: 20%, wind speed (mph): 31
1pm: Overcast, 9°C, chance of rain: 20%, wind speed (mph): 31
2pm: Light shower, 9°C, chance of rain: 40%, wind speed (mph): 33
3pm: Heavy rain, 9°C, chance of rain: 80%, wind speed (mph): 40
4pm: Cloudy, 9°C, chance of rain: 20%, wind speed (mph): 44
5pm: Light rain, 9°C, chance of rain: 50%, wind speed (mph): 43
6pm: Cloudy, 9°C, chance of rain: 10%, wind speed (mph): 41
7pm: Light rain, 9°C, chance of rain: 50%, wind speed (mph): 40
8pm: Light rain, 9°C, chance of rain: 50%, wind speed (mph): 37
9pm: Cloudy, 9°C, chance of rain: 10%, wind speed (mph): 37
10pm: Cloudy, 9°C, chance of rain: 10%, wind speed (mph): 35
11pm: Partly cloudy, 9°C, chance of rain: <5%, wind speed (mph): 32
Highways England advice for driving in strong winds
Highways England have this advice to help motorists to stay safe when driving in strong winds:
- Slow down and keep focused on the road ahead – you may encounter debris from fallen trees, branches or other items blown by winds.
- Avoid using exposed sections of road if possible. Lorries, caravans and motorbikes are at particular risk.
- Gusts of wind can cause your vehicle to shake. Always keep good control of your vehicle by using both hands on the steering wheel.
- Look out for gaps in trees or buildings, or when crossing bridges – you’re more likely to encounter side winds here. Keep room on either side of your vehicle to allow for it being blown sideways.
- Watch out for side winds when passing larger high-sided vehicles. Keep room on either side of your vehicle to allow for it being blown sideways.
"Storm Debi has developed rapidly overnight"
Matthew Lehnert, a Chief Meteorologist with the Met Office, said:
Storm Debi has developed rapidly overnight and will bring impacts across parts of the UK today. Because of the particular risk of impacts to parts of County Armagh and County Down this morning and parts of North West England through much of the day we have issued two amber wind warnings.
Amber weather warning issued in Northern Ireland and North West England
The Met Office has issued two amber wind warnings for parts of Northern Ireland and North West England.
Storm Debi was named by Met Éireann – the Irish meteorological service – on Sunday morning. As the low pressure system makes progress across Ireland and into the UK a belt of strong and disruptive winds will bring impacts. Heavy rain will also be a feature of Storm Debi.
The two amber wind warnings for southeast Northern Ireland and North West England are embedded within broader yellow warnings already in force across the whole of Northern Ireland, northern England and parts of Wales.
Within the warning areas the strongest winds are expected to reach 75mph, or even 80mph, in exposed coastal locations today, while inland areas are expected to see gusts of 60-65mph.
Yellow weather warning in place in the North East
A yellow weather warning is currently in place in the North East between 4am and 6pm as storm Debi is expected to bring high winds.
Parts of Northern Ireland and North West England have been issued with an amber weather warning.
When will Storm Debi hit the North East?
The latest forecast from the Met Office predcits heavy rain and strengthening winds from 4am on Monday morning. There is a yellow weather warning in place for potentially "very strong and disruptive winds" from 4am until 6pm.
Where is likely to be affected by Storm Debi?
The following map from the Met Office shows the areas that will be worst-affected by Storm Debi.
Will I be able to travel during Storm Debi?
The Met Office has warned that road, rail air and ferry services may be affected by Storm Debi.
The weather warning states:
" Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible. Some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, could happen. Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible.
"Some roads and bridges may close. Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage. Injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties."
"Danger to Life" warning as Storm Debi arrives
The Met Office has issued a "danger to life" warning ahead of Storm Debi battering the North East. They yellow wind warning lasts for the entire North East from 4am this morning (Monday) until 6pm tonight.
The Met Office states:
" Storm Debi is expected to develop and move across Ireland and northern England on Monday. Whilst there is still some uncertainty in the exact track and depth of this low, there is a chance of very strong westerly winds developing along Irish Sea coasts of Wales and northwest England on Monday morning before extending inland during day, slowly easing later."
