Pier section collapses and driver rescued: the clean-up after Storm Bram
Part of West Hoe Pier in Plymouth has collapsed after huge waves from Storm Bram battered the waterfront
Part of West Hoe Pier in Plymouth has collapsed after huge waves from Storm Bram battered the waterfront yesterday (9/12).
Plymouth City Council say the outer wall of the eastern arm gave way just as crews were working to strengthen the structure, with damage becoming obvious as the tide went out.
Contractors say they will have to wait until low water later today to properly assess how bad things are before urgent repairs can start.
It comes as the Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service shared an update on their rescue efforts during Storm Bram.
Last night, they confirmed a man had to be rescued from the roof of his car after getting trapped in flood water near Saltash.
Fire crews from Saltash, Callington, and Plymouth, along with specialist water rescue teams, were called out to Pillaton Bridge.
They helped bring the man to safety after carrying him from his car, which was stuck in water about two foot deep - he was not hurt and the road was closed off.
Bosses confirmed: "Crews from Saltash and Callington, along with line rescue from Camels Head, Plymouth and water rescue teams from St Austell and Bude were mobilised to a male trapped on the roof of his car in flood water.
"The first crew on scene confirmed there was one casualty on the roof of their vehicle in flood water. Crews donned flood suits and entered the water.
"The vehicle was in water circa 2 foot deep and crews carried the male from the vehicle to safety. The casualty had no injuries and crews cordoned off the road."
Read more: Storm Bram brings big waves to Penzance promenade
Plymouth City Council said: "Part of the West Hoe Pier collapsed earlier today as Storm Bram brought huge waves to batter Plymouth’s waterfront.
"The arm of the eastern pier had been undergoing strengthening work – including infilling its interior which had been filled with smaller stone – that had been dragged out by the tide over time.
"Unfortunately, current ferocious weather and sea conditions have caused the outer wall to cave in, with the damage becoming clear as the tide began to ebb.
"Strong winds are predicted again tonight and contractors will have to wait until low water tomorrow – for safety reasons – to gauge the full extent of the damage.
"They intend to formulate a plan and a rough programme to instigate urgent repairs as soon as possible."
Multiple weather warnings remain in place as much of the UK continues to feel the effects of Storm Bram.
A map by the National Grid showed power cuts affecting areas of west Wales, south-west England and the Midlands.
As of 5am on Wednesday, there were 30 flood warnings and 138 flood alerts in England, 11 flood warnings and 29 flood alerts in Wales and 20 flood warnings and 15 flood alerts in Scotland.
The M4 Prince of Wales Bridge in Gloucestershire was closed overnight due to emergency roadworks to allow for the removal of 35 faulty lighting columns at risk of collapse.
On Tuesday, 91 flights were cancelled at Dublin Airport, with around a further 10 flights diverted to other airports.
Amid the dangerous weather, the Met Office said Carlisle in Cumbria reached 16.8C on Tuesday, breaking the record for December 9.