Jersey takes a battering from the weather

Monday 03 February 2014

The clear up is continuing today after strong winds, heavy rain and high spring tides hit the Island’s south coast over the weekend.

Roads were closed and emergency services were out all night on Saturday to try to deal with conditions which have been described as the worst in many years. Jersey Met Office issued an orange warning on Friday and a red on Saturday and Sunday and the high spring tides caused problems along many of the coast roads.

Geoff Spencer-Tucker from Jersey Seasport which runs corporate watersport events such as jet skiing and wakeboarding at Long Beach in Gorey is still counting the cost of the damage after he had a container trashed by the sea on Friday night.

Mr Spencer-Tucker said: “I’ve never seen the tide so high at Gorey. The level in the sand is four feet lower than it is normally. I’ve been down here since 1998 and it’s the worst that I’ve seen.

“The owner of the cafe next door is away in India, but it has been trashed.”

On Saturday evening female Honorary Police Officer Lisa Stubbs was directing traffic in St Clement when she was knocked off her feet by a wave and swept across the road by the tide.

Thousands witnessed her fall on video which was posted on You Tube.

The States of Jersey Police has confirmed that the officer was left sore and a little bruised from the incident. A spokesperson said: “This is testament to the hard work that the Honorary Police do for their communities in Jersey especially as they dedicate their time for free.”

Commuters heading to work from the west of the Island had to find alternative routes this morning after a section of La Route de La Haule and La Nerve Route between Beamont Hill and St Aubin’s Village was closed because of the high winds and tides. Part of Grouville Coast Road from the Seymour Pub to Fauvic was also closed. Both sections of road have since re-opened.

The Police say Victoria Avenue could also be closed this evening prior to high tide at 8.30pm.