Storm Darragh: The clean-up continues across Gloucestershire

The fire service are reminding drivers to check before travelling

Author: Oliver MorganPublished 8th Dec 2024

Communities in Gloucestershire and across the South West continue to pick up the pieces this morning - after days of strong winds and heavy rain battered much of the country.

A 'danger to life' warning was issued by the Met Office whilst Great Western Railway are also telling people not to travel this morning, or head towards Bath Christmas Market - which has been called off.

The National Trust Cotswolds posted on their socials all their countryside sites and buildings will be closed today too.

'Do not travel to our sites'

Sharing their update two days ago, they said: "Strong winds are forecast from Friday afternoon.

"All our countryside sites and buildings will be closed on Saturday 7th December and Sunday 8th December, including the café at Tinkley Gate.

"For your safety during the bad weather, please do not travel to our sites."

A red flood warning by the Environment Agency is in place in Tewkesbury, whilst half a dozen flood alerts are also in force as winds battered our part of the world.

Gloucestershire County Council has confirmed recycling centres are closed - and dozens of power outages have been reported.

The Government's "risk to life" alert came into effect at 1am on Saturday and was sent to people within the area covered by the Met Office's rare red warning for wind in parts of Wales and south-west England.

Energy Networks Association said 259,000 customers across England, Scotland and Wales were without power as of Saturday evening.

It said that 80% of homes affected by the storm have been reconnected.

The Environment Agency had 64 flood warnings in place in England on Sunday morning, meaning flooding is expected, while Natural Resources Wales said 25 flood warnings were active.

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