Flintshire County Council announces key service changes ahead of storm Darragh

Flintshire County Council has announced key service changes ahead of Storm Darragh, which is expected to bring severe weather to the region this weekend.

An Amber weather warning for wind is in place from 1 am to 9 pm on Saturday, with gusts of up to 80 mph inland and even higher along coastal areas.

In response to the forecast, the A548 Flintshire Bridge will close from 3 am on Saturday and remain shut until it is safe to reopen.

Additionally, there will be no waste or recycling collections on Saturday, 7 December.

Missed collections will be prioritised on Monday, 9 December, while recycling will be collected on the next scheduled date.

Residents scheduled for brown bin collections on Monday may experience delays while black bins are prioritised.

All Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) will be closed on Saturday for safety reasons and are expected to reopen on Sunday.

The Council’s Contact Centre phoneline will operate from 8:30 am to 5 pm on Saturday for emergencies only.

Calls outside of these hours will be handled by the out-of-hours service, and residents can call 01352 701234 for urgent assistance.

Storm Darragh is also expected to cause travel disruption, with heavy rain and high winds creating hazardous conditions.

Passengers are advised to check updates from transport operators or Traveline Cymru before travelling.

While Flintshire is under an Amber warning, parts of North Wales, including Anglesey, Conwy, and Gwynedd, are under a Red warning for wind, with gusts exceeding 90 mph expected between 3 am and 11 am on Saturday.

In light of these warnings, North Wales multi-agency responders, including emergency services, local councils, and Natural Resources Wales, are working to protect communities and minimise the impact of the storm. Superintendent Owain Llewellyn of North Wales Police said:

“The safety of the public is our top priority. Storm Darragh is expected to bring extremely strong winds, posing a potential threat to life, along with risks of flooding in some areas.

“We’re urging everyone to take these warnings seriously, avoid unnecessary travel during this period, and follow all official advice to stay safe. Even if you are not in an area affected by the Red warning, extreme weather conditions are likely to affect most of North Wales.”

Responders are working together to:

• Coordinate efforts by emergency services, local councils, and Natural Resources Wales.
• Prepare key flood defences and inspect critical infrastructure to reduce the risk of damage.
• Ensure support is available for vulnerable residents.

Superintendent Llewellyn added: “Robust plans are in place to address any challenges posed by this severe weather event. However, we also need your help to stay safe:

• Stay indoors and avoid travel during the Red Warning period unless absolutely necessary.
• Secure any loose items outside your property that could pose a risk in high winds.
• Keep up to date with the latest information from trusted sources.”

The RNLI has urged those near the coast to exercise extreme caution, particularly along cliffs, piers, and seafronts. Strong winds and large waves pose serious risks to safety.

“If you plan on visiting the coast, stay well back from the water as conditions could knock you off your feet or wash you into the sea. It’s not worth risking your life,” said Chris Cousens, RNLI Regional Water Safety Lead.

In an emergency, residents are reminded to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard, rather than attempting a rescue themselves.

Emergency Alert System 

On Friday evening at 6:45 pm, the Emergency Alert System was activated for the first time outside of a test scenario in Wales.

Mobile phones in areas under the Red warning for wind—including Anglesey, Conwy, and Gwynedd—received a loud notification with safety information.