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17
Feb 2023
Last Updated: 17/02/2023
Storm Otto: Power cuts, fallen trees and travel delays in Harrogate district
Harrogate police station
Storm Otto hit the Harrogate district with a vengeance this morning.
The Stray Ferret provided live coverage as tree after tree fell, causing widespread travel disruption and damaging cars. Thousands of homes also lost power.
Here's a look back at what happened.
2.21pm Power slowly being restored
Northern Powergrid is reporting a far lower number of homes are without power across the Harrogate district this afternoon.
It says power has been restored to many in Nidderdale and areas around Ripon, though engineers are still working to reconnect several dozen homes in the area.
The National Trust said Fountains Abbey will remain closed this afternoon as it is still without power.
https://twitter.com/fountainsabbey/status/1626568058780221440
Several hundred homes around Goldsborough, Spofforth and Follifoot are still cut off this afternoon, with expected reconnection times varying between 7.30pm and 1.15am.
2.14pm RHS Harlow Carr reopens
With the weather warning now lifted, conditions have improved significantly across the Harrogate district.
After a delayed opening, and then parts of the gardens remaining closed, RHS Harlow Carr confirmed it has now fully reopened.
https://twitter.com/RHSHarlowCarr/status/1626576626376138752
2.09pm Fallen trees at Ripon Rugby Club
David Uffindall has sent us photographs of three large trees that have fallen around the pitch at Ripon Rugby Club.
One in the first picture even appears to be scoring an impressive try between the posts.
The second team is due to play at the Mallorie Park ground tomorrow afternoon, against Harrogate Pythons.
The club members have already been out to begin the clear-up operation now the winds have died down.
https://twitter.com/RiponRugby/status/1626543193767518209
12.58pm: Police alerted to 20 fallen trees in two hours in Harrogate district
Harrogate police station
North Yorkshire Police has it has been “inundated” with storm-related 999 calls this morning — especially from the Harrogate district.
It said in a press release that the force control room dealt with three times the usual volume of calls between 7am and 10am.
It received 80 emergency calls and 136 non-emergency calls between between those hours today compared with 22 and 51 yesterday.
Many were notifying them of fallen trees. The release added:
"The Harrogate district was one of the worse affected areas with over 20 reports of fallen trees in two hours. Officers in Harrogate didn’t have to travel far before they found a fallen tree as one even came down in the police station car park.
"A private car was damaged, but thankfully no one was injured."
Officers have also dealt with five incidents involving heavy good vehicles on the A1(M). Three HGVs overturned, one lost its roof and one shed its load.
An overturned vehicle on the A1
12.01pm Some attractions ready to open this afternoon
Now the weather has taken a turn for the better, tourist attractions are beginning to open their doors.
RHS Harlow Carr, which had remained closed this morning because of the high winds, says its gates will be opened to the public from 1pm, though some areas will remain closed.
https://twitter.com/RHSHarlowCarr/status/1626550556427788289
However, other attractions have said they will not be reopening just yet.
Fountains Abbey is affected by an extensive power cut across Ripon and the surrounding area, while Birchfield Farm in Nidderdale is also without power.
The latter had made the decision to stay closed today but intends to be open as usual over the weekend, assuming power has been restored.
11.28pm Another fallen tree
A tree is blocking Wood View in the Duchy area of Harrogate.
It has fallen from the garden belonging to a house that was visited by Liz Truss last summer, as part of her successful campaign to be elected as leader of the Conservative party.
11.15am Bins in the wind
With recycling collections due in some areas today, there is plenty of debris blowing around.
Expect to see rogue black recycling bins skidding across the road and blue recycling bags caught in trees and hedges when you're out and about.
One resident has had a bit of trouble with her wheelie bin too...
https://twitter.com/G_Stockdale/status/1626536380372246533
11.10am Extensive power cuts across Harrogate district
Northern Powergrid's live map shows extensive problems across the Harrogate district.
Much of Nidderdale is experiencing a power outage, with one area showing 170 homes are currently without power between Darley and Lofthouse, and another showing 140 have been cut off around the Hampsthwaite area.
Ripon and surrounding villages are also experiencing disruption, with 1,050 homes affected. Separate problems are affecting 410 properties around Copt Hewick and 940 homes to the north of Ripon.
Around Spofforth, Follifoot and nearby villages, there are further power cuts to 240 properties.
The estimated times for restoring power are between 7pm and 9pm, with Northern Powergrid saying it is dealing with extensive problems this morning.
Is your home or business affected by the power outage? Get in touch to let us know how you're managing.
10.54am Power cut at Fountains Abbey
Because of a power cut in the area, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal will remain closed for now.
https://twitter.com/fountainsabbey/status/1626529302312280066
The National Trust said yesterday it planned to open around noon once the high winds had subsided, but that won't be possible until power is restored.
Northern Powergrid is dealing with an unplanned power cut to just over 1,000 properties in the area and its current estimated time for reconnection is 7pm.
10.34am Rail disruption continues
There are likely to be service disruptions on the York-Harrogate-Leeds line for some time this morning.
This video from LNER shows some tarpaulin caught in overhead power lines at Leeds station.
The route out of Leeds is currently closed and passengers are advised they can use tickets to board alternative services.
However, there are also reports of a fallen tree on the tracks between Harrogate and Knaresborough, causing disruption to the timetable.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lqlN6xkmSeM
10.26am Changes to bus services
There is disruption to bus services around the Harrogate district because of the weather.
As well as the 8 and the 3 services being unable to serve stops on parts of their routes because of fallen trees, the 1 services to Knaresborough have had changes made to their departures from Harrogate bus station.
https://twitter.com/harrogatebus/status/1626527369547612160
10.17am: Knaresborough firefighters make sign safe
Knaresborough Fire Station has posted the following on its Facebook page.
"This morning, Knaresborough Fire Crew were called out to a sign hanging perilously over a public area on the High Street due to the high winds. Crews made the structure safe
"Take care if you are travelling this morning - there are a lot of fallen trees across roads in our area."
10.10am: The sunken Porsche
We've been speaking to Zenya Dunn, seen here standing next to her partner Michael's Porsche 911 on Granby Road in Harrogate. Look our for more on this story soon.
10am: Tree down on Ripon Road in Harrogate
The main northbound route out of Harrogate is blocked by a tree,
9.48am: Severe travel problems on Leeds Road due to tree
A fallen tree is blocking almost all of Leeds Road near M&S. The road is only passable southbound, so cars travelling northbound are having to wait for a gap in the traffic to get through. Larger vehicles like the 36 bus are having to go onto the pavement to get past.
It has fallen from a neighbouring garden right across the carriageway. Traffic is queuing in both directions and surrounding roads as people look for alternative routes.
9.41am: Delays on Leeds Road into Harrogate
Traffic has generally been lighter this week due to half-term. But there is currently very heavy traffic coming into Harrogate on Leeds Road. We have been told a tree is down near the M&S foodhall.
9.37am: Tree blocking popular Valley Gardens walking route
https://twitter.com/robbie_duncan/status/1626501898265063427
9.34am: Cherry tree down on the Stray
Thanks to Ann Leathley for alerting us to this fallen cherry tree on the Stray.
https://twitter.com/HarrogateAnn/status/1626512854412103680
9.31am: Tree problems on main road near Pannal
A fallen tree is blocking the lane approaching Harrogate on the A61 near Pannal, just past the Costa drive-through. The road is wide enough at that point for vehicles to pass without much difficulty.
9.26am: Tree down near Harrogate Borough Council offices
Thanks to Hayley Jayne for sending us this photo of a tree down on the junction of King's Road and Springfield Avenue, near the council headquarters. Please let us know how the storm is affecting you by emailing contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
9.20am: Tree crashes through roof of car in Harrogate
We have been sent a photo of a tree that has fallen into the roof of a car on Granby Road in Harrogate.
9.16am: A1 partially reopens at junction 51
https://twitter.com/HighwaysYORKS/status/1626501005411074050
9.11am: Leeds Road disruption cleared
A tree down on Leeds Road near the junction with Stone Rings Lane was partially blocking the road this morning but it has now been moved.
9.10am: RHS closes Harlow Carr
https://twitter.com/RHSHarlowCarr/status/1626507490224488450
9.07am: Tree down in Burn Bridge
A tree is down on Foot Lane out the back of Burn Bridge. The large pine tree is partially blocking the road
9.01am: Tree down at Wormald Green
Thanks to a reader for notifying us of a tree down on Station Lane in Wormald Green. They said:
"Tree gone in the wind, finding it impossible to contact anyone to remove it. Harrogate refers to North Yorkshire, out of hours here refers to 101. 101 on hold."
8.58am: Tree down on Pannal Ash Road in Harrogate
There is a fallen tree near the junction with Pannal Ash Drive. It's not blocking the road but part of it is sticking out so cars are having to pull out to go around it. Again, would be causing a lot more problems on a school day! Looks like someone has already been out and chopped it a bit.
8.46am: Harrogate picture frame still intact despite fallen tree
Our reporter has been on the Stray to see the impact of the fallen tree on the picture frame where tourists pose for pictures and it appears to have withstood the impact of a fallen tree,
8.42am: Tree down on the Stray
8.37am: Tree down on Green Lane in Harrogate
A tree has fallen on Green Lane, close to the junction with Ashville Grove and is blocking a driveway, though the road is largely clear. Fortunately as it's half-term so Green Lane doesn't have the usual volume of traffic.
8.31am: Tree down on Bilton viaduct
This has been posted on the Bilton Community Group Facebook page showing a fallen tree on the bridge where Paddington 2 was filmed.
8.22am: Tree overhanging the A61 Ripon Road
Reports of a. overhanging tree on the Ripon Road between Ripley and Ripon.
8.15am: Tree down in Pinewoods
https://twitter.com/PinewoodsHgt/status/1626493951740977152
8.13am: A1 northbound closed at junction 49
The second report of an overturned HGV on the A1 this morning.
https://twitter.com/HighwaysYORKS/status/1626494665510854657
8.09am: Harrogate picture frame takes a hit
The Harrogate picture frame on the Stray, where tourists pose for photos, has taken a hit from a tree.
8.05am: Power cuts hit Harrogate — homes could be off until 7.30pm
https://twitter.com/Northpowergrid/status/1626491442066604032
8.02am: Bus services in Jennyfields affected
https://twitter.com/harrogatebus/status/1626491876265140225
7.49am: Train lines between Harrogate and Knaresborough down
https://twitter.com/northernassist/status/1626488179871166466
7.41am: Tree down in Knaresborough
Reports of a tree down on the road on the hill down to Mother Shipton's pub in Knaresborough coming down from Calcutt, cleared much as we could
7.33am: Lorry overturned on AI
National Highways says a lorry has overturned just south of Leeming Bar at junction 51. It isn't clear if it is due to the wind but it is adding to the morning problems.
https://twitter.com/HighwaysYORKS/status/1626483576823767040
7.15am: Power cut in Ripon
About 1,300 homes in the HG4 postcode area have suffered power cuts as Storm Otto hits the area.
Northern Powergrid has said it doesn't expect services to be restored until 7pm tonight.
HG4 covers Ripon and surrounding villages.
https://twitter.com/Northpowergrid/status/1626478866674884618
A yellow weather warning is in place for the Harrogate district until 2pm today.
According to the Met Office, winds are due to peak at about 9am at around 65mph.
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