Updated: Amber warning issued for Flintshire as Storm Darragh brings high-impact winds

Residents of Flintshire are being urged to prepare for potentially severe weather as the Met Office issues an Amber warning for wind, associated with Storm Darragh.

The warning, which is in place from 1am to 9pm on Saturday, highlights the possibility of damaging winds with gusts reaching up to 80mph in coastal areas and 70mph inland.

The Amber alert is classified as “low likelihood and high impact,” meaning severe impacts may occur in certain areas, though they are not expected to be widespread.

According to the Met Office, the warning reflects the unpredictability of severe weather events, with the potential for:

• Flying debris and falling trees, posing a danger to life.
• Structural damage to homes and buildings, such as dislodged roof tiles and collapsed structures.
• Transport disruption, including road closures and delays or cancellations to buses, trains, and flights.
• Power outages that could impact other services, such as mobile phone networks.
• Coastal impacts, including large waves and debris being thrown onto roads and properties.

Advice for Flintshire Residents

Residents should take precautions to minimise risks, recommendations include securing outdoor items such as bins, trampolines, and garden furniture that could become hazardous in high winds.

Residents are also advised to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly in high-sided vehicles or in coastal areas prone to storm surges.

The Met Office warns that the strongest winds will peak on Saturday morning before easing from the west during the afternoon.

A Yellow warning for wind will remain in place until 6 am Sunday, as gusts are expected to persist but with reduced intensity.

Flintshire County Council has announced the planned closure of the A548 Flintshire Bridge from 1 am on Saturday, 7 December, in response to the Amber warning.

The closure will remain in place until conditions improve, with updates provided as the forecast evolves.

“Timings are subject to forecast changes, so follow us to keep up to date,” the council stated on social media.

Be Prepared for Disruptions

Residents are advised to plan for power outages by preparing essential items such as torches, batteries, and phone chargers.

Travel plans may also require adjustments, with delays likely on exposed roads and railways.

In coastal areas, the public is reminded to remain vigilant near large waves and to avoid walking near cliffs.

The RNLI recommends staying back from the shoreline, as stormy conditions can create unexpected hazards.

Rare Red Warning for Wind in Wales

While Flintshire remains under an Amber warning, the Met Office has issued a rare Red warning for wind in western and southern coastal regions of Wales, including Conwy, Gwynedd, and Anglesey.

The warning is in place from 3 am to 11 am on Saturday.

Red weather warnings are the most severe and are only issued when dangerous, life-threatening weather is expected imminently.

The Met Office stated: “A period of extremely strong winds will develop during the early hours of Saturday morning as Storm Darragh moves across the Irish Sea. Gusts of 90 mph or more are possible over coasts and hills of west and south Wales, as well as funnelling through the Bristol Channel with some very large waves on exposed beaches. The strongest winds will begin to ease from late morning, though it will remain very windy with Amber wind warnings still in force until the evening.”

Although the Red warning does not affect Flintshire directly, its proximity underlines the severity of the storm, with conditions expected to vary significantly across the region.

Why Is the Warning Amber?

The Amber alert’s “low likelihood and high impact” classification indicates that while severe consequences are possible, they are unlikely to affect all areas within the warning zone.

The Met Office updated the warning on Friday morning, extending its coverage further east and adjusting the start time to 1 am on Saturday.