Trains cancelled and thousands without power as Storm Darragh hits UK
Millions have been warned to stay indoors
Last updated 7th Dec 2024
Millions have been warned to stay indoors, thousands are without power and trains have been cancelled as the Government's "risk to life" alert brought on by Storm Darragh came into force.
The emergency alert came into effect at 1am on Saturday for people covered by the Met Office's rare red warning for wind in parts of Wales and south-west England.
It was the largest use of the warning system yet, with the alert urging residents to avoid driving and to "stay indoors if you can".
The Met Office confirmed to the PA news agency wind gusts of up to 92mph had been recorded overnight in Capel Curig in North Wales and Aberdaron on the Llyn Peninsula.
Gusts of between 72-78mph were recorded along the coasts of Wales and Northern Ireland.
Thousands of people across Northern Ireland, England and Wales were left without power as they braced for the storm's impact.
As of 5am, National Grid reported more than 12,600 premises had lost power in the Midlands and south-west and more than 20,000 homes had been disconnected in Wales.
A note on the Northern Ireland Electricity Network's website said the authority was unable to provide estimated restoration times.
"Due to the number of faults we are currently experiencing on the network, we are unable to provide an estimated restoration time for your electricity supply at this time," it read.
"We are working to restore supplies as quickly and safely as possible."
National Highways said both the Prince of Wales Bridge, M4 and the Severn Bridge, M48, which connect South West England to Wales were closed due to strong winds.
Network Rail Wales said all train services west of Cardiff were suspended until further notice due to falling trees blocking the line.
National Highways advised the QEII Bridge at Dartford Crossing in England's south east had also been closed due to strong winds.
In the West Midlands, the A5 was closed between the B5070 at Gledrid and A483 at Halton due to strong winds.
The Met Office issued the red weather warning - the most serious type - on Friday for wind, meaning dangerous weather is expected and people are urged to take action to keep themselves and others safe.
The warning, which has led to the cancellation of events including Christmas attractions, is in place from 3am to 11am on Saturday.
The Met Office warned of "damaging winds" with gusts of 90mph possible over the coasts and hills of West and South Wales.
Football matches are among the events which have been postponed because of the bad weather. The Premier League Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool is the latest to be called off.
Forecasters say the strongest winds will begin to ease from late morning.
The Cabinet Office's Emergency Alert system sent a message to every compatible mobile phone in the impacted areas, containing information about the red warning and guidance on how to stay safe into Saturday.
Mobile phones made a loud siren-like sound even if they were set on silent, with the sound and vibration lasting for about 10 seconds.
But some people have claimed they did not receive the alert.
A separate amber warning covering a larger stretch of the west coast of the UK, stretching from southern Scotland to Cornwall, and Northern Ireland is in place from 1am until 9pm.