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A road in town has been cordoned off for safety reasons after overnight storms tore a section of the hospital roof apart.
Gloucester Street and Newgate Street have been closed to traffic and islanders in the area urged to stay inside by Police officers at the scene.
A Health Department spokesperson explained: “This is due to parts of the waterproofing on the roof of the Granite Block hospital needing to be checked urgently because strong winds overnight have caused parts of the flashing on the granite block of the hospital to loosen.
“Engineers are currently working on site to assess the situation.
Video: Police cordons were put up on Gloucester Street and anyone coming out of their buildings were immediately told to get back inside.
“The rest of the Hospital is unaffected and is functioning as normal, however, patients and visitors can only access the Hospital from the Parade entrance.
“Patriotic Street car park remains open but visitors/patients will have to access the hospital via Kensington Place through to the Parade.”
The department apologised for “any inconvenience caused”, adding that it would provide updates “as soon as possible”.
The Health spokesperson then issued a further statement giving more information for patients needing to visit the hospital today.
They said: "If any patient has an appointment at the Breast/Colorectal clinic in Newgate Street today, they are asked to come to the Hospital’s Outpatient Department instead, due to the ongoing closure of Gloucester Street and Newgate Street.
"The Dental Department, based in Newgate Street, is unaffected as patients with appointments can use the back door of the Dental Department.
Pictured: The Police cordon was set up down Gloucester Street to close the road to cars and pedestrians.
"Anyone who is unable to get to their Hospital appointment today is reassured they will have their appointment re-booked.
"The Hospital remains fully open and operational. However, if anyone is visiting a relative in hospital and their visit is non-urgent, they may find it easier to visit later on."
A construction worker who had been laying some groundwork nearby, told Express that porters in hard hats told his team to clear the area, informing them that something on the roof had been “flapping or moving”.
It comes after severe gales and rain battered the island overnight.
Drivers & pedestrians are advised that Gloucester Street & Newgate Street are currently closed due to parts of the waterproofing on the roof of the Granite Block hospital needing to be checked urgently because strong winds have caused parts of the flashing to loosen. pic.twitter.com/VXZIiy9jwN
— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) December 13, 2019
Today’s forecast shows winds of strong Force 6 to Gale Force 8, with gusts of up to 60mph lasting into the early afternoon.
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