PENARTH was fairly lucky compared to many places in South Wales when Storm Eunice hit the country on Friday, February 18.

The storm led to a red weather warning for wind being issued in Penarth and the coastline of South Wales.

Red weather warnings are rare and are issued when there is a potential danger to life from adverse weather. 

The Vale of Glamorgan Council cancelled many of their services in preparation of the storm, including closing all schools for the day.

As well as schools being closed, the council produced a list of other affected services at the time:

  • Recycling. and waste collections did not take place, and collections scheduled for Friday were collected on Saturday;
  • Council reception areas were closed to the public;
  • Council office buildings were closed to staff;
  • Social Services Day Service buildings and services were closed;
  • Flying Start and Families First nursery settings were closed;
  • Leisure centres were scheduled to open later than usual on Friday at 2pm;
  • Public toielts were closed;
  • Country parks and other parks were closed;
  • Libraries, adult education and culture settings were closed;
  • Household Waste Recycling Centres weere closed.

However, despite being situated right on the coast, many residents reported that, although it was a bit windy, there was not much damage.

Some trees were felled by the wind, with Alexandria Park closed for some time after trees in the park fell over.

Most dramatically, one tree fell and crushed one of the entrances to the park just off the the Esplanade.

Contractors hired to clear away the trees said that the situation was "bad" and "the scope of the job was huge".

These contractors had been sent all over the Vale to deal with fallen trees, so it is difficult to say how badly Penarth was hit.

On the Esplanade, local traders chained outdoor seating to the wall, but remained open.

Huw Pickford, owner of Pickford's Galley & Bar with Rooms, said that the most that happened on his property was that some tables were moved slightly by the wind.

He said that the waves were not terrifyingly high and the waves that came the following day were as bad despite it not being a red weather warning.

However, he did say that it had been an abysmal week for business on the Esplanade, among the worst he had ever seen.

Mr Pickford said: "We would have been better off closing, everybody stayed away."

The red weather warning ended at around 1pm on Friday, but the storm still raged with an amber weather warning in place until 9pm that day.

However, some services reopened soon after, such as leisure centres at about 2pm.

Some residents said they were concerned they were not kept in the loop by the Vale of Glamorgan Council, saying that, despite requests, they had received very little information in the aftermath of the storm.

One man living near the smashed entrance of Alexandria Park said he hadn't been to work in five days because he was afraid the tree would fall onto his vehicle if he attempted to pass.

A nearby contractor said that the team was too small for the council to respond to every caller with information promptly while they try to coordinate clean up operations in the region.

The Penarth Times has asked the Vale of Glamorgan Council the following questions:

  • How many contractors/companies have been employed to assist with the clean up?
  • How many trees have fallen and what are the most significant areas of damage (particularly in Penarth)?
  • Were any areas evacuated? If so, where to and how long for?
  • How much the storm has cost the council so far?
  • When will Alexandria Park be reopened after trees fell there?
  • What other preparations were made for the storm (e.g. sandbags, securing outdoor equipment, etc)?
  • How many events were cancelled or postponed?
  • How many council owned properties were closed?

The council had not responded as the Times went to press.