Thousands without power as Storm Darragh hits Wales

Large waves, strong winds and heavy rain batter the coast of Wales

Getty Images Huge waves crash into a point and light house on the Bristol channel at Porthcawl — Large waves, strong winds and heavy rain batter the coast of Wales

More than 33,000 homes are without power as extreme winds and rain from Storm Darragh sweep across Wales.

A red Met Office weather warning – the highest level – came into effect from 03:00 GMT and will be in force until 11:00, with Cardiff Airport saying it has closed its runway during this period.

The wind warning has predicted dangerous and perhaps life-threatening conditions across 13 counties across Wales.

Gusts of more than 90mph (144 km/h) could strike the coasts and hills of north, west and south Wales.

About three million people in Wales and south-west England received an alert on their mobile phone on Friday evening, warning them of in incoming weather.

People in Gwynedd, Conwy, Ceredigion, Anglesey, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend, Vale of Glamorgan, Cardiff, Monmouthshire and Newport all received it.

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Mobile phones made a loud siren-like sound even if set to silent. The sound and vibration lasted about 10 seconds.

It was the largest use of the warning system outside a test scenario – the last test being in April 2023.

An amber warning for rain has been in force since 03:00 and will remain until 18:00 on Saturday.

Up to 3.5in (90mm) could fall across 14 counties in south and mid Wales.

There is also an amber warning for wind covering Wales from 01:00 to 21:00 and a yellow rain warning until noon.

The last red warning in Wales came during Storm Eunice in 2022, which left tens of thousands without power.

The red wind warning covers Bridgend, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Gwynedd, Anglesey, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Swansea and Vale of Glamorgan.

A Met Office map of how Storm Darragh will affect Wales

Met Office Met Office map of Wales for Storm Darragh — A Met Office map of how Storm Darragh will affect Wales

First Minister Eluned Morgan urged people to take the weather warnings seriously.

“Red means there is a potential danger to life,” she said, advising people to only travel if it was “necessary”.

The Cabinet Office issued the Emergency Alert to people in areas covered by the red warning in parts of Wales and the South West

An image of a phone in a hand. On the screen is a message for the red weather warning. — The Cabinet Office issued the Emergency Alert to people in areas covered by the red warning in parts of Wales and the South West

People have been warned to stay alert for flying debris and falling trees, along with large waves hitting sea fronts, homes and roads.

Power cuts and travel disruption are also possible, the Met Office added, with the M48 Severn Bridge closed in both directions.

The RNLI advised those living near or visiting the Welsh coast to exercise “extreme caution”.

Transport for Wales said train services may be subject to “short notice delays, alterations, and cancellations” and advised people to check their journeys before travelling.

Natural Resources Wales said the amount of rain expected would be less than the amount that fell during Storm Bert, which wrought havoc across Wales last month.