A RED wind warning was issued yesterday as Storm Austen approached the Channel Islands, with gusts of up to 80mph forecast and schools and several public services set to close today.
In an update issued yesterday, the government said Jersey Met expected the strongest winds early today, with gale force eight to severe gale force nine winds and gusts of 70 to 80mph.
Strong winds and heavy rain were forecast to continue before gradually easing this afternoon, bringing possible travel disruption, fallen trees or branches and localised flooding.
“Please take care and, where possible, avoid outdoor activity on Friday morning,” the government advised.
Schools and colleges, including Highlands College, were due to close today. The Education and Lifelong Learning Minister announced the decision on Wednesday to give families time to arrange childcare.
Parents were advised to check directly with nurseries, childminders and after-school clubs about their arrangements.
Emergency, urgent and maternity services were expected to operate as normal. Islanders were asked to call 999 for an ambulance only in a life-threatening emergency and attend the Emergency Department only for a serious illness or injury requiring emergency care.
The advice issued yesterday was for patients with hospital outpatient appointments today to attend if it was safe to travel, unless Health and Care Jersey contacted them to say otherwise.
A decision on whether the Patient Transport Service would operate was still pending at the time of the update. All patients with UK appointments had been contacted.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service at Bermuda House was also due to close, with two duty nurses and a duty doctor monitoring the duty phone remotely and reviewing crisis appointments at the Hospital. Some appointments and reviews were expected to move online where appropriate.
Other announced closures included La Collette’s Recycling Centre and Green Waste site, while sports centres were due to remain shut until at least 3pm today.
Howard Davis Park, Coronation Park and Sir Winston Churchill Park were set to close, with safety assessments planned for tomorrow morning before reopening. Millennium Park was expected to remain open, although its facilities would close until conditions improved.
Jersey Library and Western Library were due to shut this morning, while the Union Street Customer Hub was expected to open as normal.
Further updates were expected after yesterday morning’s announcement. Islanders should check the latest government advice, Jersey Met forecasts and individual service updates before travelling.
