Storm Ciaran panic as supermarket shelves emptied hours before 'weather bomb' explodes

Supermarket shelves have been left empty in parts of the UK in the lead up to Storm Ciaran.

The storm is expected to unleash a weather bomb on Britain from around 6pm this evening (Wednesday, November 1) with hurricane-force winds of up to 100mph.

20 areas have been placed on amber alert by the Met Office – the second most severe warning – as widespread flooding, downpours and danger-to-life winds are expected.

Several stores on the Channel Islands have seen an influx of shoppers stocking up, despite warnings not to panic buy due to a strong supply chain.

However Condor Ferries – the islands’ commercial ferry operator – warned there would be no ships for a week while the storm rages on.

The company’s three ships the Goodwill, the Clipper and the Islander, bring food and supplies to the islands but are unable to sail in the severe weather conditions.

The company is “evaluating options” to ensure food and medical supplies can get through.

Meanwhile Co-op says they are taking steps to avoid disruption. One of the islands’ largest supermarkets, it did however warn that stores will be impacted by the storm.

A spokesperson said: “We are aware of the expected forecasts and are taking all steps we can to mitigate any potential issues.

“Unfortunately, due to the expected forecast, we can expect disruptions to supply across both islands for goods being received.

“We would like to reassure shoppers that steps are being taken to minimise any negative impact.”

Carl Walker from the Jersey Consumer Council, reassured shoppers that there is ‘no need’ to panic buy as supply chains will be back up and running in a few days.

He told ITV News: “For those who wish to buy items to last them for the next few days, please only buy what you need as there are many islanders – such as those working night shifts and those in the emergency and care services – who haven’t yet had the opportunity to shop, and may need to do so very late in the day or early tomorrow.”

“All the signs are that normal service should be resumed by early next week.”

Ciaran is a ‘weather bomb’, a term for a low pressure system whose central pressure falls 24 millibars(mb) in 24 hours in a process officially called explosive cyclogenesis.

It’s already caused widespread flooding in Northern Ireland after the Met Office enforced a yellow weather warning from 9am this morning.

Elsewhere in the UK, parts of of the South West and central and eastern Scotland have also been hit by a similar warning from 3am to 3pm. Southern parts of England and Wales are also on alert from 6pm today until the end of tomorrow.

A further yellow warning for rain and wind has been issued across the South East coast from 5am to 9am today.

And a yellow warning for wind was in place across southern England and parts of South Wales from 6pm today and throughout tomorrow.

The advice comes as 20 areas across the UK have been place under an amber weather warning by the Met Office.

Here is a full list of the areas affected:

Amber warning for wind – 3am to 1pm on Thursday, November 2

South West England

Cornwall

Devon

Isles of Scilly

Plymouth

Torbay

Wales