Silke Mayr Storm Darragh has caused major disruption across the UK, leaving tens of thousands without electricity. Strong winds and heavy rain have affected south Wales, western England, and Northern Ireland. Many train services and flights were canceled, and power cuts impacted at least 48,000 homes in Wales alone.
The Met Office issued a rare red weather warning for parts of Wales and the Bristol Channel coast. The warning, which lasted from 03:00 to 11:00 GMT, highlighted the potential for life-threatening conditions. The alert reached around three million people via mobile notifications on Friday evening. The government advised people to gather essential items, including torches, batteries, and mobile power packs, to prepare for power cuts.
Severe Weather and Widespread Disruption
Storm Darragh brought dangerous winds, with gusts of 93mph recorded in Capel Curig and 92mph in Aberdaron. Winds of 80-90mph continued across the Irish Sea. The UK has passed the peak of the strongest gusts, which will remain between 70-85mph in the west throughout the day.
The storm’s impact on travel was significant. Bristol and Cardiff airports warned of disruptions, urging passengers to confirm their flights with airlines. All rail services in Cardiff have been suspended due to fallen trees on the tracks. Both the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge and M48 Severn Bridge were closed, further complicating travel.
Football, rugby, and horse racing events across Wales and England were canceled. London’s Royal Parks and the Winter Wonderland attraction also closed. In Northern Ireland, numerous Christmas events were called off due to the weather.
The storm also brought heavy rain, leading to 120 flood alerts across England and 55 in Wales. These warnings follow the flooding caused by Storm Bert. Storm Darragh is the fourth named storm of the season and is expected to continue bringing rain throughout the weekend.