Freezing temperatures of -8°C forecast for North Yorkshire after county battered by Storm Arwen
North Yorkshire Police are asking people to only travel if strictly necessary as freezing conditions follow in the aftermath of Storm Arwen.
Emergency services have worked throughout last night and today to respond to the problems caused by the high winds, rain and snow brought by the storm.
One person has been swept out by the waves and rescued off the North Yorkshire coast today.
Volumes of sea foam whipped up by the storm has led to closure of the carriageway at Sandsend and the Pier Road at Whitby and North Bay Scarborough have been closed.
The Environment Agency and local councils are also urging people to stay away from coastal areas due to the danger of high winds and waves which continue to affect coastal roads and paths.
“People attending events on the coast need to remain vigilant,” police said.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue has attended around 50 incidents. Most of these incidents included falling trees, power lines and dangerous structures.
Inspector Amy Hunter from North Yorkshire Police said:
“Due to the high level demand in calls for service there may be a delay when calling the police on 101. We ask members of the public not to ring 999 if you can’t get through on 101, please leave the lines free for genuine emergencies.
“Thank you for your patience and understanding while we deal with the effects of the storm, and please stay safe.”
Particularly cold
Over the next 48hours particularly cold temperatures (both air and road surface) are forecast with high risk of frost and ice, along with some residual snow.
Temperatures could be as low as minus 8ºC in parts of the county with some snow showers continuing.
Neil Irving, on behalf of the North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, said: “County and district councils and emergency services continue to pull out all the stops to keep highways clear and our residents safe and we are calling on all our residents to help us in this endeavour.
“Travel only if you need to and remain vigilant. Above all please look out for neighbours and friends particularly those who are elderly and frail who may be without power for a prolonged period in very cold weather, especially as nightfall approaches.
“We are calling on friends and neighbours and people without power to consider making arrangements together to move people into warm accommodation until power is restored.”