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Front-line staff from Norfolk County Council have been extremely busy this afternoon dealing with dozens of reports of damage across the County caused by high winds.
Staff at Norfolk Fire and Rescue's Hethersett headquarters dealt with around more than 50 incidents between noon and 1pm, including reports of falling trees, flooding, roof damage and building collapses.
Crews from Long Stratton attended the railway line at Tivetshall St Margaret earlier today to help in the clear-up operation after roof debris fell onto the track.
About 100 highways staff from Norfolk County Council's Planning and Transportation department were called to deal with numerous reports of fallen trees.
In West Norfolk there were reports of fallen trees or branches in: Methwold, Runcton Holme, South Wootton, Clenchwarton, Terrington St Clement, Wattlington, Great Bircham, West Newton and Stanhoe.
Chapel Street in King's Lynn was closed after part of a building collapsed, with debris falling into the street and a public car park.
Nobody was hurt and no vehicles damaged. Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service attended and helped clear debris, including a tree brought down in the collapse. The road remained closed afterwards because of the risk of exposed roof tiles coming down.
More than 40 staff worked to make roads safe in North Norfolk and in the Breckland area. The whole available workforce was removing trees and debris from roads this afternoon.
Both the B1110 at Swanton Novers and Fakenham Road at East Barsham were obstructed by fallen trees, with county council staff using chainsaws at the scene.
There were problems with tree debris on the A140 in North Norfolk and the A148 earlier, but they are now clear.
The A149 Caister Rd, Yarmouth, was closed for a time from the Tesco roundabout to Freemantle Road because a sheet roof blew across the road. The B1077 at Rockland St Peter was closed because of flooding.
Yarmouth Row 60 (near Palmers Car park off King Street) was closed after tiles blew off the roof of a shop.
In South Norfolk, about 37 council staff were involved in dealing with a spate of problems. Cantley Lane, Cringleford, was closed after a live cable came down. Common Road, Gissing, was closed after a tree fell over. There were reports of flooding along the B1113, but it was passable with care.
The main road through Flordon village was reported to be flooded but passable with care and part of Wymondham market place was reported closed because of falling roof tiles.
The high winds forced two schools to close early. Children from Earlham High were sent home early after a number of tiles were blown off the roof of the school and Happisburgh Primary shut after a window and frame was blown into the school hall.
It is hoped both schools will reopen for business on Monday.
In addition, children from Woodside First School in Witard Road, Norwich had to go home after their building suffered a heating failure. The school expects to reopen tomorrow.
Martham library closed early today after tiles blew off the library's roof. Caister Recycling Centre closed due to the high winds, with fears about waste blowing across the site.
The mobile library route from Burston to Gissing was abandoned because the driver has considered it unsafe to carry on.
Staff at the County Council's Sprowston park and ride site guided motorists through the entrance and exit because of flooding.
Surfacing work on the A140 at Hevingham was abandoned because of the bad weather and work is now predicted to finish next Thursday, still within the two week timescale originally predicted.
David Worsley, Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Norfolk, said: "Both our control staff and our front line fire crews have been extremely busy this afternoon, as have many staff from the County Council's Planning and Transportation department. All have responded magnificently to some very trying conditions and have done what they can to keep Norfolk both safe and on the move."
*The strong winds are predicted to ease overnight with showers becoming increasingly isolated.
For further information
Martin Barsby, Communications Officer, Norfolk Fire Service, on 01603-819759, mobile 07919 492313 or martin.barsby@fire.norfolk.gov.uk
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