Sat Dec 07 08:30:00 UTC 2024: ## Life-Threatening Winds Ground Wales and South-West England as Storm Darragh Unleashes Fury
**Cardiff/London, UK** – Millions of people in Wales and south-west England are sheltering indoors as Storm Darragh brings unprecedentedly high winds, prompting the Met Office to issue its highest-level red warning. Gusts reaching 92 mph were recorded in parts of Wales, causing widespread disruption and power outages affecting over 34,000 homes.
The red warning, in effect from 3:00 AM to 11:00 AM GMT on Saturday, covers coastal areas, with the Met Office emphasizing a significant danger to life. A government emergency alert, the largest ever issued in the UK, reached approximately three million mobile phones, urging residents to prepare for power cuts and stay indoors.
The storm’s impact is far-reaching:
* **Transportation:** Both the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge and M48 Severn Bridge are closed. Cardiff Airport suspended all flights during the red warning period, while Bristol Airport anticipates significant disruption.
* **Sports:** All domestic football and rugby matches in Wales are canceled, including Cardiff City’s Championship fixture. Horse racing at Aintree and Chepstow was also abandoned.
* **Power Outages:** National Grid reports over 22,000 properties without power in Wales and more than 12,000 in the Midlands and south-west England.
* **Flooding:** With the ground already saturated from previous storms, 120 flood alerts are in place across England and 55 in Wales. All of London’s Royal Parks are closed. Northern Ireland also experienced cancellations due to an amber warning.
Storm Darragh, the fourth named storm of the season, is expected to bring heavy rain throughout the weekend. Authorities urge residents to remain vigilant and follow safety guidelines. Lower-level amber and yellow warnings remain in place across other parts of the UK.
First Piper 