Trees have fallen across the country and shutdowns could last through the weekend as winds of more than 90 mph hit

Gusts of 93mph were recorded as Storm Darragh hit the UK. In a new update, National Highways has revealed that a number of main roads and bridges have been closed to all traffic due to safety concerns.

Millions of people have been warned to stay at home, thousands are without power and trains have been canceled after the government’s ‘risk to life’ alert came into force. The emergency alert came into force at 1am on Saturday and was sent to people in the area covered by the Met Office’s rare red warning for wind in parts of Wales and South Wales. west of England.

This is the largest use of the alert system to date, with the alert urging residents to avoid driving and “stay indoors if you can”. National Highways issued strong alerts and said many roads were currently closed.

They include:

• M4 – Prince of Wales Bridge – Bridge closed in both directions due to high winds. “Road users traveling to Wales will need to follow the M5 and M50 due to the closure of the M48 Severn Bridge due to high winds. Our South West Regional Operations Center is monitoring wind speeds and will reopen the bridge as soon as wind speeds return to a safe level.
• The A66 between North Yorkshire (A1M) and Cumbria (M6) has been closed: “in both directions due to strong winds resulting from Storm Darragh. Road users crossing the Pennines are advised to plan ahead and consider alternative routes such as the A69.
• The M48 Severn Bridge in Gloucestershire is closed in both directions between J1 (Austria) and J2 (Chepstow) due to strong winds. “Road users traveling into Wales will need to follow the M5 and M50 due to the closure of the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge due to high winds. Our South West Regional Operations Center is monitoring wind speeds and will reopen the bridge as soon as wind speeds return to a safe level.
• The A34 in Hampshire is closed in both directions between the M3 J9 and the A272 (Three Maids Hill) for emergency works. “This work should enable the safe removal of a number of trees along both carriageways. Trees have been identified as being at risk of falling during forecast strong winds linked to Storm Darragh. The closure is expected to remain in effect through the weekend.
• The A5 is closed in both directions between the B5070 (Gledrid) and the A483 (Halton). “This is due to the Ceiriog Viaduct being exposed and strong winds posing a risk to road users.”
• The A282 southbound QEII bridge at Dartford Crossing is closed. “All traffic wishing to travel southbound/clockwise on the M25 is diverted through the eastern bore tunnel. Northbound through traffic is restricted to using the Dartford West Tunnel only with a height restriction of 4’8m (15’9″). Vehicles exceeding this height will need to seek an alternative route via the M25 in the direction clockwise.

National Highways also warns of several small incidents closing roads – for the latest updates on these, click here.

In severe amber weather report Warning for strong winds in the south-west and north-west regions of the country for today between 1 a.m. and 9 p.m. Road users are advised to check in advance and plan for disruption to their journeys.

He said: “The strongest and most persistent winds of 60-70mph are expected along the north coasts of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.

Strong winds are expected to progress eastwards through Saturday with winds of 50 to 60 mph along southern coasts and winds of 60 to 65 mph concentrating on the UK east coast in the early hours of Sunday. Winds of 40 to 45 mph are expected to persist across the system through Sunday, gradually easing from the west.

“The routes most likely to be affected by the strongest winds are North Somerset M5 (Burnham-on-Sea Bridge to Avonmouth), A30 Cornwall & Bodmin, A35 Lyme Regis. M56 J10-J14, M6 Cheshire and Thelwell Viaduct, A595, A590, M62 J22. High-sided vehicles, caravans, motorcycles and other vulnerable vehicles are advised to take particular care when traveling due to the increased risk.

Speaking to Sky News, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds described the storm as a “difficult situation”. He added: “Around three million households will have benefited from the emergency alert system on their mobile phones. I would just encourage anyone who has had this to follow the advice.

He added: “Where you can, stay indoors, don’t put yourself at risk and just follow the advice at all times. » Tom Morgan of the Met Office said that at 7am the storm was at its peak, but higher wind speeds were “possible” later in the morning.

The center of the storm, meaning the winds are calmer, was in the north-east of England. Thousands of people in Northern Ireland, England and Wales were left without power.

The Energy Networks Association said around 86,000 homes in England, Scotland and Wales were without power as of 9am. A spokesperson said about 385,000 customers were reconnected overnight, and more than 1,000 engineers are ready to be deployed.