Home » Storm Darragh in pictures: The areas worst affected as UK hit with 90mph winds

Storm Darragh in pictures: The areas worst affected as UK hit with 90mph winds

Storm Darragh in pictures: The areas worst affected as UK hit with 90mph winds

Two people were killed on Saturday as Storm Darragh hit the country with wind speeds of up to 93mph, causing widespread travel disruption and leaving tens of thousands of homes without power.

Millions of people in parts of South West England and Wales were urged to stay indoors as a rare Met Office red warning for wind came into effect at 1am on Saturday.

Football coach Paul Fiddler died after a tree fell on his Citroen van while driving on the A59 at Longton, near Preston, on Saturday morning.

Later that afternoon, a man named online as Kher Hussain Shahin, was killed in the same way while driving in Erdington, Birmingham.

With clean-up operations underway across the UK, the Energy Networks Association said around 118,000 customers were still without power in the evening.

A yellow weather warning for wind issued by the Met Office for all of England and Wales for Sunday has since lifted, with winds expected to gradually ease with noticeably less rainfall by Wednesday, the forecaster said, although temperatures are expected to stay in the single figures.

Here, Yahoo News takes a look at some of the areas worst affected by Storm Darragh.

With Storm Darragh approaching Great Britain from the west, Wales was particularly vulnerable to the storm, with coastal areas of the country placed under a rare Met Office red alert.

Although the worst of the storm is now over, a number of Transport for Wales services remain suspended, with the operator advising customers not to travel on Sunday.

As of Monday morning, two flood warnings had been issued by Natural Resources Wales and 14 flood alerts.

Pontrhydfendigaid, Ceredigion, Wales, UK. 07th December 2024 UK Weather: Mid & West Wales Fire crew pumping away flooded water that is encroaching into residents’ properties in the rural village of Pontrhydfendigaid, as strong winds from Storm Darragh continues throughout the day. © Ian Jones/Alamy Live News

Firefighters pump away floodwater in the rural village of Pontrhydfendigaid on Saturday. (Alamy)

Damage to the kiosks on the pier at Llandudno in north Wales is seen on December 8, 2024, after storm darragh brings winds of 90 mph to the west of Wales and north-west England. High winds and heavy rain have battered western parts of the United Kingdom, causing widespread travel disruption. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)Damage to the kiosks on the pier at Llandudno in north Wales is seen on December 8, 2024, after storm darragh brings winds of 90 mph to the west of Wales and north-west England. High winds and heavy rain have battered western parts of the United Kingdom, causing widespread travel disruption. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

A kiosk blown onto its side on the pier at Llandudno in north Wales. (Getty Images)

A fallen tree blocking a road on Llantwit road Pontypridd, Wales. Millions have been warned to stay indoors, thousands are without power and trains have been cancelled as the Government's A fallen tree blocking a road on Llantwit road Pontypridd, Wales. Millions have been warned to stay indoors, thousands are without power and trains have been cancelled as the Government's

A fallen tree blocking a road on Llantwit road, Pontypridd. (Alamy)

Aberystwyth Wales UK weather December 7th 2024 storm DARRAGH batters the west coast of Wales with a red warning in place gusts of up to 90mph hit hard causing havoc with power lines down and many thousands left without electricity. Large waves crash over the promenade and sea defences, with flying debris that could lead to injury or danger to life. Credit: mike davies/Alamy Live NewsAberystwyth Wales UK weather December 7th 2024 storm DARRAGH batters the west coast of Wales with a red warning in place gusts of up to 90mph hit hard causing havoc with power lines down and many thousands left without electricity. Large waves crash over the promenade and sea defences, with flying debris that could lead to injury or danger to life. Credit: mike davies/Alamy Live News

Strong winds battered the coast of Aberystwyth. (Alamy)

Hundreds of trees were toppled over in the West Midlands on Saturday, one of which fell onto a car and killed the driver.

In a statement on Saturday, West Midlands Police said the man was killed on Silver Birch Road, Erdington, shortly after 3pm.

The following day, the driver was named on social media as Kher Hussain Shahin as tributes poured in, according to BirminghamLive.

The city council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, Majid Mahmood said: “My thoughts are prayers are with the family of Kher Hussain Shahin who was killed when his car was hit by a tree in Erdington.

“The family will be sitting at a local masjid tomorrow, and the details of the janaza (funeral) will be announced soon in sha Allah. May Allah SWT grant the brother the highest place in paradise and give the family patience. Ameen.”

NOTE TO EDITORS - Death confirmed by police officer on scene. - Sutton Road, Erdington, Birmingham 7th December 2024 - A man has died after his car was hit by a falling tree during strong Storm Darragh winds on Sutton Road at the junction of Silver Birch Road in the Erdington area of Birmingham on Saturday afternoon. Firefighters including members of USAR and ISAR, Urban/International Search and Rescue, who are often sent to major disasters overseas were this evening cutting the tree away from the vehicle to recover the unidentified man. Credit: British News and Media/Alamy Live News WEST MIDLNOTE TO EDITORS - Death confirmed by police officer on scene. - Sutton Road, Erdington, Birmingham 7th December 2024 - A man has died after his car was hit by a falling tree during strong Storm Darragh winds on Sutton Road at the junction of Silver Birch Road in the Erdington area of Birmingham on Saturday afternoon. Firefighters including members of USAR and ISAR, Urban/International Search and Rescue, who are often sent to major disasters overseas were this evening cutting the tree away from the vehicle to recover the unidentified man. Credit: British News and Media/Alamy Live News WEST MIDL

Emergency workers at the scene in Sutton Road, Erdington, Birmingham after a man was killed by a falling tree. (Alamy)

NOTE TO EDITORS - Death confirmed by police officer on scene. - Sutton Road, Erdington, Birmingham 7th December 2024 - A man has died after his car was hit by a falling tree during strong Storm Darragh winds on Sutton Road at the junction of Silver Birch Road in the Erdington area of Birmingham on Saturday afternoon. Firefighters including members of USAR and ISAR, Urban/International Search and Rescue, who are often sent to major disasters overseas were this evening cutting the tree away from the vehicle to recover the unidentified man. Credit: British News and Media/Alamy Live News WEST MIDLNOTE TO EDITORS - Death confirmed by police officer on scene. - Sutton Road, Erdington, Birmingham 7th December 2024 - A man has died after his car was hit by a falling tree during strong Storm Darragh winds on Sutton Road at the junction of Silver Birch Road in the Erdington area of Birmingham on Saturday afternoon. Firefighters including members of USAR and ISAR, Urban/International Search and Rescue, who are often sent to major disasters overseas were this evening cutting the tree away from the vehicle to recover the unidentified man. Credit: British News and Media/Alamy Live News WEST MIDL

The driver in Erdington was one of two people to be killed by the storm. (Alamy)

In a Facebook post, Mohammed Idress said: “Very tragic. My deepest sympathy and condolences to the family. May Allah grant the highest place in Paradise to the Deceased.”

Sgt Benjamin Parsons said: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this time, and his next of kin have been informed. A report will be passed onto the coroner. Anyone who saw what happened or who may have dashcam or mobile phone footage, is asked to please get in touch.”

Three of four lanes on the M42 between Solihull and Birmingham Airport/NEC were closed on Saturday night after a van was hit by a tree, BirminghamLive reports, while overnight roadworks were cancelled due to the storm.

As water levels rose on the River Wye on Sunday, roads were left flooded in Hereford, with flood warnings remaining in place in the area as of Monday morning.

Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, UK, 7th December 2024. A tree fell during Storm Darrah on Monmouth Drive (Credit: Gustavo Pantano/Alamy Live News)Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, UK, 7th December 2024. A tree fell during Storm Darrah on Monmouth Drive (Credit: Gustavo Pantano/Alamy Live News)

A road partially blocked off in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, on Saturday night. (Alamy)

A person walks through floodwater in Greyfriars Avenue in Hereford, Herefordshire, after Storm Darragh hit the UK and Ireland. Picture date: Sunday December 8, 2024. (Photo by Jacob King/PA Images via Getty Images)A person walks through floodwater in Greyfriars Avenue in Hereford, Herefordshire, after Storm Darragh hit the UK and Ireland. Picture date: Sunday December 8, 2024. (Photo by Jacob King/PA Images via Getty Images)

A woman walks through floodwater in Greyfriars Avenue in Hereford, Herefordshire. (Getty Images)

A number of roads were closed across Somerset on Sunday after Storm Darragh brought trees and power cables crashing down.

Thousands of homes in region were still without power, while small businesses near the Bristol Channel in Somerset said tiles had flown off their buildings and they had faced delivery issues.

Eleanor Sedgwick, 23, a front-of-house supervisor at Scarlett’s in Clevedon, said the cafe did not open on Saturday morning because it was “too big of a risk”.

Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset where a tree has fallen on homes as Storm Darragh brings strong winds and heavy rain across the United Kingdom.Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset where a tree has fallen on homes as Storm Darragh brings strong winds and heavy rain across the United Kingdom.

An uprooted tree which fell on homes in Burnham-on-Sea on Saturday. (Alamy)

STRATTON-ON-THE-FOSSE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 7: A fallen tree blocks the main A367 road on December 7, 2024 in Stratton-on-the-Fosse, England. Parts of Somerset was hit by winds gusting up to 75mph last night, with a rare red weather warning for wind issued by the UK's Met Office with a amber warning remaining in place. London Royal Parks and the festive attraction Winter Wonderland are closed today as Storm Darragh brings gusting winds up to 80mph and heavy rain through the weekend. (Photo by Anna Barclay/Getty Images)STRATTON-ON-THE-FOSSE, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 7: A fallen tree blocks the main A367 road on December 7, 2024 in Stratton-on-the-Fosse, England. Parts of Somerset was hit by winds gusting up to 75mph last night, with a rare red weather warning for wind issued by the UK's Met Office with a amber warning remaining in place. London Royal Parks and the festive attraction Winter Wonderland are closed today as Storm Darragh brings gusting winds up to 80mph and heavy rain through the weekend. (Photo by Anna Barclay/Getty Images)

A fallen tree blocks the main A367 road in Stratton-on-the-Fosse. (Getty Images)

BURNHAM-ON-SEA, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 7: Contractors work to clear a tree that has fallen on properties following last night's storm winds on December 7, 2024 in Burnham-on-Sea, England. Burnham-on-Sea was hit by winds gusting up to 75mph last night, with a rare red weather warning for wind issued by the UK's Met Office with a amber warning remaining in place.
London Royal Parks and the festive attraction Winter Wonderland are closed today as Storm Darragh brings gusting winds up to 80mph and heavy rain through the weekend. (Photo by Anna Barclay/Getty Images)BURNHAM-ON-SEA, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 7: Contractors work to clear a tree that has fallen on properties following last night's storm winds on December 7, 2024 in Burnham-on-Sea, England. Burnham-on-Sea was hit by winds gusting up to 75mph last night, with a rare red weather warning for wind issued by the UK's Met Office with a amber warning remaining in place.
London Royal Parks and the festive attraction Winter Wonderland are closed today as Storm Darragh brings gusting winds up to 80mph and heavy rain through the weekend. (Photo by Anna Barclay/Getty Images)

Contractors work to clear a fallen tree in Burnham-on-Sea. (Getty Images)

Gusts of up to 70mph caused extensive damage to Northern Ireland’s electricity network, with thousands left without power on Sunday morning.

Around 48,000 customers lost power at the peak of the storm. Co Antrim saw the most impact, with power station EP Ballylumford temporarily halting electricity generation on Saturday following damage to a chimney and scores of roads blocked by fallen trees.

A bus also crashed close to Belfast International Airport and a loyalist mural in north Belfast was damaged.

BALLYCLARE, NORTHERN IRELAND - DECEMBER 7: An airport transfer bus is pictured after leaving the road and crashing into a house in Templepatrick during high winds on December 7, 2024 in Ballyclare, Northern Ireland. Storm Darragh is the fourth named storm of this season and is expected to bring gusts of wind up to 80mph and heavy rain through the weekend. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)BALLYCLARE, NORTHERN IRELAND - DECEMBER 7: An airport transfer bus is pictured after leaving the road and crashing into a house in Templepatrick during high winds on December 7, 2024 in Ballyclare, Northern Ireland. Storm Darragh is the fourth named storm of this season and is expected to bring gusts of wind up to 80mph and heavy rain through the weekend. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

An airport transfer bus left the road and crashed into a house in Templepatrick. (Getty Images)

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - DECEMBER 7: A loyalist paramilitary mural is pictured damaged following high winds on December 7, 2024 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Storm Darragh is the fourth named storm of this season and is expected to bring gusts of wind up to 80mph and heavy rain through the weekend. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - DECEMBER 7: A loyalist paramilitary mural is pictured damaged following high winds on December 7, 2024 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Storm Darragh is the fourth named storm of this season and is expected to bring gusts of wind up to 80mph and heavy rain through the weekend. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

A loyalist paramilitary mural in Belfast is pictured damaged following high winds. (Getty Images)

Storm Darragh brought severe disruption to the North West of England, with a man in his 40s killed after a tree fell onto his van in Lancashire.

Paul Fiddler was driving his Citroen van on the A59 at Longton, near Preston, at about 9am on Saturday at the time of his death – the first of two linked to Storm Darragh.

In a statement, his club, Lytham Town FC, said: “A well loved coach, football player, gaffer but most of all a true friend. Paul, thank you for everything mate. Our thoughts are with the Lytham Town lads, his friends and family at this time. Rest in Peace Paul. We will miss you.”

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100489636338364&set=pb.171301120.-2207520000&type=3https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100489636338364&set=pb.171301120.-2207520000&type=3

Tributes have poured in for Paul Fiddler, who died in the storm on Saturday. (Facebook)

LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 7: A fallen tree damaged a car in Liverpool as Storm Darragh batters parts of the UK, in Liverpool, United Kingdom on December 7, 2024. A powerful storm made landfall in the UK on Saturday following a rare red warning, leaving thousands without power and disrupting travel and sports events. Around 3 million people in Wales and southwestern England were warned by the government to stay indoors as Storm Darragh has already hit parts of the country. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 7: A fallen tree damaged a car in Liverpool as Storm Darragh batters parts of the UK, in Liverpool, United Kingdom on December 7, 2024. A powerful storm made landfall in the UK on Saturday following a rare red warning, leaving thousands without power and disrupting travel and sports events. Around 3 million people in Wales and southwestern England were warned by the government to stay indoors as Storm Darragh has already hit parts of the country. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)

A fallen tree damaged a car in Liverpool. (Getty Images)

LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 7: Fences blown away in Liverpool as Storm Darragh hits parts of the UK, in Liverpool, United Kingdom on December 7, 2024. A powerful storm made landfall in the UK on Saturday following a rare red warning, leaving thousands without power and disrupting travel and sports events. Around 3 million people in Wales and southwestern England were warned by the government to stay indoors as Storm Darragh has already hit parts of the country. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 7: Fences blown away in Liverpool as Storm Darragh hits parts of the UK, in Liverpool, United Kingdom on December 7, 2024. A powerful storm made landfall in the UK on Saturday following a rare red warning, leaving thousands without power and disrupting travel and sports events. Around 3 million people in Wales and southwestern England were warned by the government to stay indoors as Storm Darragh has already hit parts of the country. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Fences blown away in Liverpool as Storm Darragh swept through the city. (Getty Images)

Fiddler, who according to the Independent also worked at a local TV shop, was described as “the best uncle” by his niece, Katie Elliot.

In a Facebook post, she wrote: “I wish I could have known or even said goodbye to you. I am missing you more than ever, and you will always be in my heart. All I could ask for is for you to message me back and make fun of me like you always would and speak to you for one last time.”

The Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton was called off on Saturday morning as winds of 70mph hit the region, with officials deciding the risk to safety was too high.

Liverpool, UK. 7th Dec, 2024. Winds from Storm Darragh batter the Wirral coastline at New Brighton. Credit: ken biggs/Alamy Live NewsLiverpool, UK. 7th Dec, 2024. Winds from Storm Darragh batter the Wirral coastline at New Brighton. Credit: ken biggs/Alamy Live News

A man faces the high winds in New Brighton as Storm Darragh batters the Wirral coastline. (Alamy)

A photograph taken on December 7, 2024, shows fallen trees blocking and covering Greenbank road in Liverpool as storm Darragh brings winds of nearly 90 mph to the west of Wales and north-west England. The UK's Met Office had issued a rare red alert for high winds overnight to Saturday morning (0300 to 1100 GMT) covering parts of Wales and southwest England. Tens of thousands of people across the UK were left without power on Saturday morning after Storm Darragh hit the country with strong winds and caused pre-Christmas travel disruption. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)A photograph taken on December 7, 2024, shows fallen trees blocking and covering Greenbank road in Liverpool as storm Darragh brings winds of nearly 90 mph to the west of Wales and north-west England. The UK's Met Office had issued a rare red alert for high winds overnight to Saturday morning (0300 to 1100 GMT) covering parts of Wales and southwest England. Tens of thousands of people across the UK were left without power on Saturday morning after Storm Darragh hit the country with strong winds and caused pre-Christmas travel disruption. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Fallen trees cover Greenbank road in Liverpool. (Getty Images)

Parts of Devon were also affected by the Met Office’s red “danger to life” warning, with a number of roads blocked in both directions and a tree falling on a car at a Christmas fayre event.

No one was harmed and members of the public helped removed some of the debris, reports DevonLive. Meanwhile a fallen oak tree in Tiverton resulted in a partial evacuation of a block of flats, with some residents prevented from leaving the area in their vehicles.

Sidmouth, Devon, 7th Dec 24 Storm Darragh brings down the second tree within 30 yards on Sid Road, in Sidmouth. Less than three hours after the first tree was cleared from the road, a second has blocked access to the Devonshire seaside town. Photo Central/Alamy Live NewsSidmouth, Devon, 7th Dec 24 Storm Darragh brings down the second tree within 30 yards on Sid Road, in Sidmouth. Less than three hours after the first tree was cleared from the road, a second has blocked access to the Devonshire seaside town. Photo Central/Alamy Live News

Workers remove a fallen tree in Sid Road, in Sidmouth. (Alamy)

Sidmouth, Devon, 7th Dec 24 Storm Darragh brings down the second tree within 30 yards on Sid Road, in Sidmouth. Less than three hours after the first tree was cleared from the road, a second has blocked access to the Devonshire seaside town. Photo Central/Alamy Live NewsSidmouth, Devon, 7th Dec 24 Storm Darragh brings down the second tree within 30 yards on Sid Road, in Sidmouth. Less than three hours after the first tree was cleared from the road, a second has blocked access to the Devonshire seaside town. Photo Central/Alamy Live News

Two trees fell within 30 yards on Sid Road, blocking off access to the seaside town of Sidmouth. (Alamy)

Sidmouth, Devon, 7th Dec 24 Storm Darragh brings down the second tree within 30 yards on Sid Road, in Sidmouth. Less than three hours after the first tree was cleared from the road, a second has blocked access to the Devonshire seaside town. Photo Central/Alamy Live NewsSidmouth, Devon, 7th Dec 24 Storm Darragh brings down the second tree within 30 yards on Sid Road, in Sidmouth. Less than three hours after the first tree was cleared from the road, a second has blocked access to the Devonshire seaside town. Photo Central/Alamy Live News

Several roads were blocked in both directions in Devon. (Alamy)

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