Formby was battered by Storm Boelo last night with businesses suffering storm damage, trees down and cables down

1 day ago

2 min read

Several businesses in Formby village have suffered damage after Storm Boelo brought powerful winds and heavy rain overnight, with gusts reaching 60mph on Sunday morning.

Formby Bubble has been out photographing the aftermath of the storm, with outdoor seating areas, planters, fencing and other fixtures damaged or displaced by the strong winds.

Queen’s Road Social appears to have suffered some of the most significant damage, with part of its outdoor brick boundary wall collapsing and sections of fencing and wooden structures left scattered across the pavement.

In Chapel Lane, DAPA Bistro has also been affected, with a large section of its outdoor seating enclosure blown over by the powerful gusts.

Nearby, The Olive Grove restaurant has suffered damage to its outdoor planters and decorative displays, with plants, soil and stones scattered across the pavement outside the premises.

Further along the village, outdoor furniture and barriers outside Formby Grill House & Pizzeria have also been overturned and displaced.

The damage highlights the strength of the winds that have battered Formby throughout the night and into Sunday morning.

Despite the disruption, Formby appears to have escaped more widespread destruction, although strong winds are continuing and further damage remains possible.

The canopy over the petrol pumps at the BP/M&S garage on Liverpool Road has suffered storm damage, so the forecourt will be temporarily closed while repairs are carried out.

The M&S shop is still open as normal, but fuel will not be available until the forecourt can safely reopen.

A tree has come down on the northbound side of the Formby Bypass, between the Tesco junction and the garage at Southport Road. The fallen tree is on the pedestrian and cycle pathway and is not obstructing the main carriageway. However, it has also brought down a lamppost, raising concerns about potentially dangerous electrical cables.

A telephone cable is hanging dangerously low across Duke Street, just before the roundabout at the Cross House Inn, following the strong winds overnight.

Although it is only a telephone cable, it could still pose a serious hazard to passing larger vehicles, particularly vans, buses and other high sided vehicles.

Please take extra care when approaching the roundabout until the cable has been made safe. We enhanced the first photo so you can see it as it’s difficult to see in the original photo.