Power Outages and Train Disruptions as Storm Darragh Hits the UK

Tens of thousands of people across the UK woke up without power on Saturday morning as Storm Darragh unleashed fierce winds and heavy rain, causing significant pre-Christmas disruptions. The Met Office had issued a rare red alert for high winds overnight, covering parts of Wales and southwest England, advising residents to stay indoors. On Friday night, the government’s emergency alert system sent siren-like warnings to three million phones in the affected areas.

Winds reaching nearly 90 mph hit western Wales and northwest England, with dramatic waves pounding coastal areas such as Porthcawl. In Wales alone, over 50,000 people were left without electricity, while the Energy Networks Association reported power outages for 86,000 homes across England, Scotland, and Wales. The storm, the fourth named this season, also caused extensive travel disruption. Network Rail Wales halted train services along the northern coast due to fallen trees, and bridges across southern England and Wales were closed for safety reasons. Northern Ireland saw thousands of power outages, alongside cancellations and delays to bus and train services. Dublin Airport also experienced flight cancellations as the storm extended into Ireland, where 400,000 homes were without electricity.

Sporting events and festive activities were heavily impacted. The Premier League Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton was postponed, as were Christmas markets in several areas. An amber weather warning, signaling a threat to life and property, remains in effect across parts of the UK and Northern Ireland until Saturday night. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds described the storm as a "challenging situation," urging the public to follow emergency alerts. The Met Office warned of continued heavy rain, issuing over 100 flood alerts nationwide, with further power outages and travel disruptions expected over the weekend.

Storm Darragh closely follows Storm Bert, which caused severe flooding and power outages just two weeks earlier. As communities begin recovery efforts, authorities continue monitoring the weather and supporting those affected.