Storm force winds batter Wirral and force a dramatic rescue off Meols

Feb 9 2011 by Matt Hurst, Heswall News

STORM force winds battered Wirral on Monday causing trees to block roads and forcing Hoylake lifeboat into a dramatic rescue against the tide.

In response, Wirral Council implemented road closures at three locations in Birkenhead.

Grange Road West, between Eastbourne Road and Exmouth Road; Shore Road, between Hamilton Street and Woodside Business Park; and Park Road East, between Conway Street and Claughton Road were all sealed off for public safety reasons.

Shops and cafes in Birkenhead town centre were forced to close their doors to trade after roof slates became dislodged, clattering into the pedestrian area.

From McDonalds down to the Pound Bakery, staff were advised to leave the premises for their own safety at around 2pm.

Tony Davies, of Rumbling Tums cafe on Grange Road, said on Tuesday: “I had to shut up shop for safety reasons, and am awaiting confirmation from the council as to whether I can trade today.”

Wirral News reader Ron Day captured the dramatic moment a huge tree came crashing down on a wall and the back window of a car, just outside Birkenhead Park.

And Bernard Roberts described his lucky escape while commuting to work.

Bernard said: “I was driving along Rylands Hey to my office this morning when two adjacent trees crashed immediately behind me.”

Rylands Hey was subsequently closed to traffic.

Two dog walkers, a man and a woman, also came close to tragedy as they battled winds exceeding 60 knots - or 68mph - off Meols.

RNLI Hoylake’s Steve Armitage said: “On arrival at the casualties, they were observed to be exhausted and struggling to walk against the fierce west by north violent storm, the tide was flooding faster than they could walk.

“As the casualties and their dogs were getting on the crew trailer, towed by tractor bravo, the tide was lapping around the wheels.

“Once safely on board the tractor was driven back to the RNLI Lifeboat Station, where HM Coastguard and a Paramedic were in attendance.

“A tragedy was averted here, please get advice before wandering away from the sea wall, the gutters and gullies are treacherous around our coast.”