Storm Ciara brings more than 350 incidents for Norfolk's highways teams and fire service

Norfolk County Council highways and Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service dealt with more than 350 incidents on Sunday (9 February) as gales and rain brought trees, branches and power lines down, and blew debris on to roads and pavements.

Highways teams were in action from 4.40am throughout the day, with around 250 calls and incidents responded to, including 160 tree-related issues across the county. Incidents also covered flooding, debris from buildings in the highway, failed traffic lights and various other defects as a result of the storm.

Main routes over the network were given priority throughout the day although many minor roads were also cleared and reopened. Absolute priority was given to A and B category roads with a view of minimising the impact on the traveling public in the morning, however there may still be some trees and obstructions that the highways team has not been able to clear.

Grahame Bygrave, Director of Highways and Waste at Norfolk County Council, said: “Our highways teams, including extra resource such as tree surgeons, worked hard through the night and day under exceptionally challenging circumstances. I would urge drivers to take extra care, particularly on minor roads, since the wind has remained very strong and it has not been possible to check the whole of the county's road network."

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service was called to more than 100 weather-related incidents across the county including fallen power lines, trees down in multiple locations, roof collapses and low-risk flooding.

Paul Seaman, group manager at Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, paid tribute to the crews: “It was a great effort by all in the control room and our operational crews, including the chainsaw team who responded and assisted at numerous incidents. The Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) on-call team also assisted with several building stability incidents.”

Although the worst of the storm appears to be over, winds will remain strong throughout Monday. Report anything obstructing the highway on 0344 800 8020 or at www.norfolk.gov.uk/roads-and-transport.