AREAS of Braintree and Halstead were severely affected as violent Storm Eunice winds battered the east of England last Friday.

The Met Office issued a red warning, raising serious concerns of potential danger to life due to the extremely strong gusts.

The warning, in place between 10am and 3pm on the Friday, came as significant disruption and damage occurred across the Braintree district.

There were power outages across Braintree and Halstead causing disruptions to businesses and houses.

Braintree and Witham Times: Severe Damage: The winds destroyed a garage roof in Deben Close, Witham (pic: Kay Stagg)Severe Damage: The winds destroyed a garage roof in Deben Close, Witham (pic: Kay Stagg)

Braintree Council provided regular updates throughout the day, and said there were multiple power issues across the district, and issues with water supply due to a pump failure.

Postcodes affected by power issues included CM7, CM77, CM3 and CM8, covering Braintree, Witham, and Halstead areas.

The council said the weekend markets due to take place in Braintree and Witham town centres had to be cancelled due to safety fears.

Braintree Village shopping centre had to close due to the extreme weather conditions.

A spokesman said it was for the safety of staff and shoppers.

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There were also transport issues, with trains and bus services cancelled.

Hedingham Buses had to cancel services in Braintree and Halstead.

Charities and community centres also felt the effects, with the Witham Community Hub having to close early for the safety of its volunteers and due to continued power outages.

There were scores of fallen trees across the district, including on roads, gardens, and in the Braintree Recreation Ground, where multiple trees were lost.

Braintree and Witham Times: Natural Damage: A tree that was completely ripped apart in Stubbs Lane, Braintree (pic: Martin Coxell)Natural Damage: A tree that was completely ripped apart in Stubbs Lane, Braintree (pic: Martin Coxell)

 

Braintree and Witham Times: : A tree felled by the storm force winds in Halstead Public Gardens (pic: David Sugden): A tree felled by the storm force winds in Halstead Public Gardens (pic: David Sugden)

Braintree and Witham Times: Broken: A tree felled in Peg Millars Lane, Witham (pic: Bridge Street Motorcycles)Broken: A tree felled in Peg Millars Lane, Witham (pic: Bridge Street Motorcycles)

Despite the havoc, the community came together to support one another, and council bin collections continued on schedule.

Braintree Council emergency planning boss Wendy Schmitt said: “We haven’t seen a storm quite like Storm Eunice in many years which has impacted many parts of the UK.

“Our bin crews worked extremely hard to ensure all waste and recycling collections were up to date and that there was no impact to this service. I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has sent in messages of support for the crews.

“It’s great to see how the community has supported each other during Storm Eunice.”