Tens of thousands across the UK woke up without power on Saturday morning after Storm Darragh unleashed fierce winds and heavy rain, disrupting the country just ahead of Christmas. The Met Office issued a rare red alert for high winds overnight, affecting parts of Wales and southwest England, and advising residents to stay indoors. The government’s emergency alert system sent siren-like warnings to three million phones in the impacted areas on Friday night.
Gusts of up to 90 mph hit the west of Wales and northwest England, with waves crashing along coastal areas such as Porthcawl. In Wales, over 50,000 people lost power, while the Energy Networks Association reported power cuts affecting 86,000 homes across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The storm, the fourth of the season, also caused significant travel disruption. Network Rail Wales suspended trains on the northern coast due to fallen trees, and bridges across southern England and Wales were closed for safety. In Northern Ireland, thousands were without power, and many bus and train services were canceled or delayed. Dublin Airport reported several flight cancellations as the storm reached Ireland, leaving 400,000 homes without electricity.
Sporting events and festive activities were also impacted. The Premier League Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton was postponed, as were Christmas markets in multiple regions. An amber warning, indicating potential risks to life and property, remains in place across parts of the UK and Northern Ireland until Saturday night.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds called the storm a “challenging situation” and urged those receiving emergency alerts to follow the guidance. The Met Office warned of continued heavy rain and issued over 100 flood warnings across the UK, with the potential for more power outages and travel disruptions as the weekend continues.
Storm Darragh follows Storm Bert, which caused severe flooding and power cuts two weeks ago. As communities begin recovery efforts, authorities remain vigilant, providing assistance to those affected.
