Summer getaway chaos as Storm Evert batters country and huge queues on M25 and M5
STORM Evert is causing summer getaway chaos – with huge queues on the M25 and M5.
It comes as three weeks of rain is set to batter Britain today while wind and thunder warnings remain in place.
As newly named Storm Evert gathers pace, winds of up to 75mph are lashing the South West, with coastal gales and rain set to affect parts of the country.
And the stormy weather is causing a colossal backlog on roads up and down the country.
Last night many Brits who had escaped to the country for a break had their tents battered and torn last night by heavy rain and wind.
One owner, Sarah Weeks from clifftop glamping site Seaview Tipis, even told guests to “pack up and go, for their safety.”
Currently drivers heading to the Dartford Tunnel are facing queues of up to 55 minutes.
On the M25 pictures show an eight mile long strip of gridlock traffic with cars at a standstill.
The traffic comes after a series of incidents across the county as Storm Evert batters Britain.
Meanwhile Traffic monitoring service Inrix said there were long delays and
queueing traffic due to holiday traffic on M5 Northbound at J30 for
Exeter.
There were reports of slow traffic right across the city as motorists
tried to avoid the clogged roads.
RAC Breakdown spokesman Rod Dennis said: “The arrival of a summer storm to the South West could take drivers – and indeed all holidaymakers in the region – by surprise.
“The sheer strength of the wind coupled with huge volumes of traffic will make driving conditions hazardous, particularly for those towing caravans and trailers.
“We strongly recommend drivers check over their vehicles before setting out – ensuring roofboxes are firmly secured – and try to avoid exposed coastal and moorland routes where the impacts of the wind on driving will be the greatest.
“Drivers should reduce their speeds accordingly to help ensure they complete their journeys safely.”
Steven Keates, a meteorologist from the Met Office, said: “The wind will get worse before it gets better.
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“The highest gust of wind is on the Isles of Scilly, which is 45 knots or 52mph.
“There is the potential for 60mph in coastal areas of west Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
“There is the chance of seeing something a little stronger than that from midnight to 3am, where as per the amber warning, there is the chance of seeing gusts of up to 75mph in one or two very exposed coastal spots, mainly in Cornwall.”