Storm Ciara: Flintshire Bridge set to reopen at 8pm on Sunday evening

Update: Flintshire Council has said Flintshire Bridge will reopen at 8pm on Sunday evening.

Previous Report: Flintshire Bridge A548 will close in both directions from midnight tonight due to strong winds which are forecast to hit the region overnight. 

The Met Office has issued several National Severe Weather Warnings for gale force winds and heavy rain brought by the storm throughout the weekend.

The amber wind warning in Flintshire begins at 9am on Sunday morning and last through 7pm on Sunday.

Flintshire Council has said: “Please be aware that due to the forecast of high winds, the Flintshire Bridge A548 will be closed from 12 midnight until further notice.”

The council says it will have additional resources and on-call teams standing by as Storm Ciara hits the region.

Named by the Met Office on Wednesday, Storm Ciara is currently tracking eastwards towards the UK and Ireland.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is urging people living near the coast to be prepared for possible flooding.

With the worst of the conditions expected on Sunday afternoon, NRW advises people to keep a safe distance from coastal paths, promenades, piers, and from river banks. 

Emergency response workers from NRW are already making preparations ahead of the storm, checking defences are in good working order and making sure any drainage grids and screens are clear, to reduce the risk to people and their homes.  

Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Frank Saunders, said:  “Storm Ciara will bring damaging winds and heavy rain across the UK this weekend and we have issued a range of severe weather warnings giving people time to prepare for potential impacts of the storm.

“Winds will increase through Saturday across Northern Ireland, Scotland, northern England and Wales, before turning very windy across the rest of UK through the early hours of Sunday morning. 

Gusts of 50 to 60 mph are expected quite widely across inland areas, with even stronger gusts of 80mph or higher along coastal areas.”