Storm Darragh

[Frozensnowflake]

winds of 80mph are predicted to hit parts of Ireland and the UK over Friday and Saturday. I’m north wales and we’re looking at winds of around 72mph on Saturday according to the met office. Lots of local events have been cancelled. Anyone else potentially affected by the storm?

I have never driven in 70mph winds but I’m guessing it’s very much not advisable?

Oh lol it just came

Got the alarm too. Really scary and says we are now in the red zone. We're in South Devon which is showing as amber. It sounds like this must have gone out to everyone in a danger zone.

We were warned of the alert on twitter by the Welsh government, then both phones went and a bilingual message. We are in the red zone.

@justasking111 I think you're not far from me. Good luck tonight!

We live just south of Bath and have just received the alert which, I must admit, made me jump out of my skin. Bath Christmas Market is cancelled so if anyone was planning on going don’t. I feel sorry for the stall holders as Saturdays are their busiest days.

On twitter

Filling the bath in case we lose water! My husband thinks I've gone overboard but if we need it he'll be grateful!

Our neighbour phoned. Worrying about his patio doors. Husband had surgery this morning patch over one eye so he can't go over to check them

I think it went to the whole of Devon. Not sure they’ve narrowed it down to just the bits that are in the red area. Was a shock when it woke me up.

We're near Conwy. Poor Anglesey and the Peninsula are going to cop it. Imagine if we didn't have Ireland to the west the storms would be worse.

I rarely come on Mumsnet these days and mostly just lurk on the weather threads when things are looking iffy. Just popping up to say I’m glad to see @OhYouBadBadKitten back too!

Stay safe this weekend everyone!

We're in mid Devon and jumped out of our skins earlier when the sirens sounded on our phones. We're in a rural area, lots of trees. Never had a red warning and will be staying indoors until it's back to yellow! We don't normally get power cuts but will definitely get a power bank charged up and some candles ready.

I often think that about Ireland sheltering us - and wonder what their west coast is like in these storms.

I'm up near the carneddi, the mountains make it all so much more dramatic and scary! Yes I never thought about that but I suppose Ireland does shield us, diolch Ireland!

Just had the emergency alarm. Very shocking!

We've just had notification from the water board to do exactly what youre doing Slugs, so youre not OTT

I'm in a yellow warning according to the Met office, but that warning came through to all our phones. Scared the shit out of me!

The other thing I was considering is that when we’ve tended to get these storms in the past, winds have been predominantly from a south or westerly direction.
with this storm the wind is coming from the north, so it might reveal new vulnerabilities (I’m thinking of stuff/buildings/trees that might typically be more sheltered now being exposed)

DIL putting all the family in the two back bedrooms. There's an enormous fir tree directly opposite their house. Firs have shallow roots.

@BoudiccasBangles I managed to leave earlier. Everything was fine, normal rainy weather!

It's getting stormy now though around swansea bay. It's very cosy.

@justasking111 we had a huge pine tree fall in the 1987 storm. Thankfully it fell away from the house but did block the road for a day or so!

Apologies if this is a ridiculous question. We have a 400 year old oak tree to the back right of our house. It’s not in my garden but behind the right corner about 14 metres away from my house. Im in an amber area so not as bad as the red areas. Is it likely to stay sturdy?! I’m guessing it’s been there for 400 years successfully so isn’t likely to fall over now but slightly worried!

My parents are in North Bristol and BIL and SIL in North Somerset and both got the emergency alert. Parents are under strict instructions not to leave their house for the next 24 hours or so!

We’re in East Anglia and the annual village Santa Sleigh Drive (bloke in a Santa outfit sitting in a sleigh on the back of a flatbed truck blasting out Christmas tunes and handing out chocolates to the kids!) has been postponed until next week.

Our medieval parade in Conwy tonight cancelled. Christmas parade in Llandudno tomorrow cancelled plus many other events in our area. So much hard work goes into these events it very sad.

I was in a Zoom call with friends and we all got the alert, East and South Devon. Power banks on charge now