Storm Darragh has brought strong winds and heavy rain, prompting warnings for millions to stay indoors. The government declared a “risk to life” alert, affecting places in Wales and south-west England. This alert started at 1 a.m. on Saturday and is the biggest use of this warning system yet.
Power outages have hit over 12,600 homes in the Midlands and south-west England, with more than 20,000 homes in Wales also without electricity. Northern Ireland’s electricity authority said they can’t give an estimate on when power will be restored because of many faults.
Roads and bridges, like the Prince of Wales Bridge and Severn Bridge, have closed due to the severe winds. Train services west of Cardiff are also suspended because of fallen trees blocking the tracks. The Met Office issued a red weather warning, the highest kind, indicating strong and dangerous winds of up to 90 mph.
The alert is in place from 3 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, and it advises people to avoid driving if possible. Mobile phones sent out a loud emergency message even if they were on silent, warning people to stay safe. However, some people reported not receiving the alert.
An amber warning is active along a larger area of the UK, from southern Scotland to Cornwall and Northern Ireland, running until 9 p.m. on Saturday. Dangerous flying debris and large waves are possible, which could cause damage to buildings and power lines.
Dublin Airport has diverted some flights, and many British Airways flights have also been canceled due to the storm. Storm Darragh is expected to bring heavy rain, with over 120 flood alerts in place. An amber rain warning for Wales is in effect from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.
The Met Office warns that heavy rain could cause problems for transport, and it may lead to 20-30mm of rain falling in just a few hours, with totals of 80-90mm expected. National Rail cautions that the storm could affect trains across the entire network, so travelers should check their journeys beforehand.
Chiltern Railways advises customers to travel only if necessary, as they expect significant disruptions and will only operate one train per hour. Customers with tickets for Saturday can use them on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday instead.
This article aims to keep you informed about the impact of Storm Darragh and how to stay safe.
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