Storm Eunice: Schools shut, travel disrupted and attractions closed due to heavy winds
Schools were shut, theatre performances were cancelled and people were urged not to travel in the harsh conditions as Storm Eunice descended on the region.
The Met Office put in an amber weather warning as the West Midlands was hit by gusts of up to 70mph with heavy disruption to train services and to motorists.
West Midlands Railway cancelled a number of services, including all trains between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury, as it operated a reduced service. Both Transport for Wales and Avanti West Coast services were suspended as the storm took hold, as train operators urged passengers not to travel.
Overhead electric wire damage between Wolverhampton and Stafford caused the lines to be blocked and lines at Birmingham Snow Hill were also impacted by the weather.
A string of attractions were also forced to close including the likes of West Midland Safari Park, Dudley Zoo and Castle along with Alton Towers.
The harsh weather also saw an event at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre last night featuring former Tottenham Hotspur manager and I'm a Celeb winner Harry Redknapp cancelled.
Numerous flights from Birmingham Airport were cancelled and the storm even caused a wall at Shell Corner Trading Estate, Halesowen, to fall onto units.
Nobody was hurt after the wall – measuring around 20ft high and 50ft long – collapsed onto the units on Friday morning, causing "significant damage" to five of them.
A building was damaged on Park Street in Oldbury and a series of trees have fallen across the region, with several being brought down in both Wolverhampton and Kidderminster due to the storm.
In South Staffordshire a tree landed on a car near Brewood but, in another lucky escape, police reported that nobody inside was seriously injured.
And a number of trees also fell on the A45 in Small Heath between Heybarnes and Bordesley Circus which led to the road being closed.
Among the schools shut on Friday were Wednesbury Oak Academy in Tipton, Walton Hall Academy, in Eccleshall, and Wightwick Hall School in Wolverhampton.
A statement from Wednesbury Oak Academy, which closed on Friday, said: "School will be closed today due to the amber weather warning and the risk of flying debris. As you know the school is currently surrounded by scaffolding, a health and safety walk has been completed this morning and concluded that, with the forecasted winds of 50-70 miles per hour, there is a high safety risk.
"Sorry about the inconvenience but safety is always our main concern. Stay safe and enjoy the half-term break."
In the West Midlands 92,320 customers of Western Power Distribution's network lost supply with some 18,000 waiting to be restored at 5pm on Friday.
WPD apologised for the inconvenience, saying conditions remain extremely difficult with incidents of trees falling near to its teams as they were working.
Operations director Graham Halladay said: “Please be assured that we are working extremely hard to restore supplies to all of our customers and our dedicated teams will keep going until everyone is restored. I would like to pay tribute to them – they are working long hours in difficult conditions.”
Meanwhile the safari park and zoo said they were forced to keep their doors closed in the interests of the animals.
Dudley Zoo manager Matt Lewis said: "We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, but with a weather warning in place, we have to be sensible and the safety of our animals, staff and visitors is our top priority."
West Midland Safari Park said in a statement they would close for the “safety of our animals and staff” and would be issuing vouchers for customers who have pre-booked tickets. They said: “We plan to reopen on Saturday to welcome guests for half term.”
Black Country Living Museum said it was shutting due to the severe weather, while the National Trust announced Moseley Old Hall and Wightwick Manor in Wolverhampton would close – alongside the car park at Kinver Edge in Staffordshire.
National Highways warned there was a particularly high risk that high-sided vehicles and other “vulnerable” vehicles – including caravans and motorbikes – could be blown over.
National Express announced they will not be operating south of Birmingham – due to red weather warnings in the South West and South East, including London – and strongly advised customers not to travel.
Meanwhile Wolverhampton Council announced Wednesfield Market wouldn't be open due to the harsh weather – and motorists in Birmingham were left facing delays after a tree fell at Parsons Hill's junction with Wharf Road in Kings Norton.
A performance of Saving Britney – inspired by the #FreeBritney movement relating to Britney Spears – was cancelled due to the weather at Lichfield Garrick Theatre. Newhampton Arts Centre in Wolverhampton announced its Live and Picking show has been cancelled with all tickets valid for April 8.
