beast from the east

• Primary impacts of Beast from the East:

  • 10 people died
  • Up to 50cms of snow fell on high ground
  • Rural (countryside) areas experienced temperature lows of up to -12°C
• Secondary impacts of Beast from the East:

  • 100s of schools were forced to close
  • Many rail services were cancelled.
  • British Airways cancelled hundreds of flights.
  • The National Grid issued a ‘gas deficit warning’
  • Nearly all train operators warned of cancellations and disruption.
  • Around 1,000 vehicles were at a standstill, tailing back 8 miles in both directions.
  • There was a shortage of food in some supermarkets.
  • Drifting snow led to the isolation of several villages.
• Responses to Beast from the East:

  • Red weather warnings were issued. The red weather warning was just the third in seven years.
  • The Environment Agency issued flood warnings in Cornwall. Residents were told to expect tides to be around 400 mm.
  • The Royal Air Force was drafted in to help relieve efforts in Lincolnshire.
  • In Edinburgh, soldiers were deployed to help transport about 200 NHS staff.