Storm Darragh Strands 22 Individuals in Dalby Forest Overnight

A total of twenty-two individuals, among them a two-year-old child, became stranded overnight within an 8,000-acre forest. Storm Darragh caused trees and power lines to fall, obstructing their departure from Dalby Forest, located near Pickering, North Yorkshire. Some of those affected spent the night in the cafe situated within the site, which is managed by Forestry England. Andy Widdowson, Forestry England’s head of recreation in Yorkshire, who managed the response efforts from Pickering, stated that despite a demanding 24-hour period, all individuals were safe. He commented: “The power was out in the district but everyone had blankets and we broke out our emergency supplies. In the end everyone was fine and we eventually evacuated this morning all safely.” During Saturday afternoon, strong winds associated with Storm Darragh resulted in multiple trees collapsing, rendering all access routes into and out of the forest impassable. The stranded group comprised nine members of the public and 13 staff members within the forest, an area that encompasses the village of Low Dalby and a visitor centre. Mr. Widdowson explained that the team activated its emergency protocol, gathering everyone at a village cafe. All twenty-two individuals remained overnight, with some staying in local residents’ homes, others in the cafe, and the rest in Forestry England’s on-site accommodation. Mr. Widdowson remarked: “In situations like this we all work together.” He added that “The residents were super kind in bringing supplies over – even to the point of bringing porridge over this morning, supplying bedding and where possible they opened their doors and welcomed people in, which is utterly amazing and we thank them very much.” By Sunday afternoon, both the forest and the village continued to experience power outages, and Dalby Forest was inaccessible to visitors due to persistently strong winds. Mr. Widdowson indicated that the clean-up efforts were scheduled to commence on Monday. He stated: “We will be starting our emergency clear-up tomorrow to get facilities open as quickly as possible and to ensure our residents can come in and out of the forest safely.” He further noted, “But I have sent all of the team home now to rest up and to recover and we go again tomorrow morning.” Vicar Ian Robinson, a resident of Low Dalby and proprietor of the High Dalby House and Cottages bed and breakfast retreat, described the situation in the forest as still “pretty desperate.” He explained: “About 17-25 families living in the forest are all without water or power so unable to cook or wash.” He added, “I have a Land Rover, which is how I am able to speak to you because we have no mobile coverage in the forest at the moment either.” Dalby previously served as a royal hunting forest, with the Forestry Commission acquiring the land from the Crown in 1919. The forest contains several permanently inhabited properties and holiday rentals, such as the 12 former forestry workers’ cottages in Low Dalby, which were constructed on the site of a work camp during the 1950s.