Storm Ciaran blows in bedroom window in Jersey
A parent has captured the moment Storm Ciaran’s extreme winds shattered a window above their baby’s crib early this morning.
Near-hurricane-force winds sweeping over the Channel Islands blew in a window at Jessica O’Reilly’s home as she slept next to her young child.
The two were fast asleep when the storm – which commanded severe gusts of up to 104mph as it made landfall today – hit their home in St Clement, Jersey.
Weather forecasters have issued the highest possible alerts for Jersey today, and dozens of residents have evacuated their homes as they react to life-threatening gusts being funnelled through the Channel.
The mum’s baby monitor showed her lightning-quick reaction to the sudden wind blast this morning.
READ MORE: Storm Ciarán forces MASSIVE cruise ship to divert to Cornwall
Footage Ms O’Reilly shared with the BBC first shows her fast asleep in bed, and her child resting next to her in a bedside cot.
After a brief moment, she is seen being jolted awake by Storm Ciaran banging at her window, before an explosion shatters the glass.
Sounds picked up by the baby monitor capture the near-deafening sounds created by the rush of wind.
The video shows curtains violently blowing inwards, and the quick-thinking mum snatching her child and taking them to safety within a second.
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Ms O’Reilly’s brush with Storm Ciaran is one of many such incidents on the island of Jersey, where the system has proven particularly fierce.
Island authorities issued a red weather warning – the most severe available – as they anticipated the severe conditions this week, and dozens of people have now been forced to flee their homes.
Approximately 40 people and eight pets evacuated their properties from 3.30am today, and they are now staying in temporary accommodation.
A further three people have been taken to hospital following their brushes with the storm.
Extreme winds have picked apart roofs across the island, casting tiles onto roads, and devastated entire properties as police shutter storm-swept roads.
Gloucester Street in St Helier was among the many roads shut down this morning, with Jersey Police citing “concerns about an area of the hospital roof”.
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