Thousands still without power after Storm Darragh

Nearly 67,000 homes and businesses across Wales are still without power after Storm Darragh ravaged large parts of the country.

Despite the reduction of strong winds, a yellow weather office weather warning Remained in place across Wales as of 18:00 GMT on Sunday.

This comes after a day of widespread Damage and travel disruption With winds gusting up to 94 mph (150 km/h).

With many roads still closed, a council boss has issued an appeal to drivers to stay off the roads until roads are cleared. Meanwhile, train services have been mostly cancelled, as well as ferries to and from Ireland.

Welsh Local Government Association leader Andrew Morgan said bbc politics wales There were thousands of fallen trees across the country.

“Fortunately, we didn’t get as severe a rainfall as was predicted,” said Morgan, who is also council leader in Rhondda Cynon Taf, where Storm Burt caused devastation. heavy flood damage in November.

He said that some schools were also among the damaged buildings and debris on the roads remained a problem in many areas.

“We have requested people to try to avoid travel if possible until (Sunday)… in terms of clearing the highways.”

National Grid said about 48,000 properties in central and south Wales were without power.

Scottish Power said around 18,500 properties, mainly in north and central Wales, were without power.

Scottish Power’s Liam O’Sullivan said, “This is one of the worst storms we’ve seen in a long time.”

He said high winds hampered repair efforts overnight, but with the weather easing, he said the company had “every team available to get people back on supplies”.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said there were a handful of flood warnings – Second highest alert – in effect.

Road closures are still in place across Wales due to the high winds, including the M48 Severn Bridge in Monmouthshire.

Transport for Wales is asking passengers to check the timetable before traveling as many trains are not running

Great Western Railways said all lines between Cardiff Central and Carmarthen were blocked due to bad weather, with services “unlikely” to resume before 12:00.

Irish Ferries has canceled services to and from Wales for most of Sunday, with some Pembroke and Holyhead sailings scheduled for later.

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

NRW said the amount of rainfall expected ahead of the storm would be less than that seen during Storm Burt, which devastated much of Wales last month.