Storm Callum was striking parts of the UK on Friday morning with gale force winds of up to 76 mph (120 kph) and torrential rain, leaving thousands of people without power across Ireland and the British Isles.
Around 30,000 homes in Ireland, and 1,000 in Britain, were left without electricity after the storm began to batter the south-west.
Western Power Distribution, an electricity distribution network operator for the Midlands, south Wales and southwest England, reported that more than 950 homes were without power in southwest England, with a further 100 homes in south Wales.
The Met Office issued an amber warning across much of south Wales, advising residents to expect torrential rain and widespread disruption to travel from Friday morning until Saturday evening.
“South Wales in particular is a cause for concern, with an amber warning in force,” Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern warned.
“There is a deep area of low pressure to the west of Ireland, and it will bring strengthening winds to Ireland as well as western parts of the British Isles.”
He warned that gusts of up to 40 or 50 mph will be felt across western parts of Scotland, Wales, and western England throughout the day, with stronger gusts of 60 mph possible along the Irish Sea coast.
Yellow warnings for rain and wind have also been issued across much of the west coast of the UK, from northern Scotland to Land’s End in Cornwall.
Up to 5 inches (120-160 mm) of rain is possible over higher ground in the south and southwest of the UK, approaching the region’s monthly average.
The most severe winds of 76 mph were recorded on the Isles of Scilly, off the southwest coast of Cornwall, while winds of up to 60 mph were recorded in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, and in Camborne, Cornwall.
The storm is wreaking havoc on travel arrangements, with certain flights being canceled on Friday morning at Cardiff and Exeter airports.
The majority of FlyBe flights to and from Belfast City Airport were also canceled between 06.00 a.m. and 09.30 a.m. Friday, causing further knock-on delays throughout the day.
Other regions of the UK were expected to remain largely dry, but strong winds were forecast.
