Summary

  • The Met Office warns Storm Darragh poses an imminent risk to life across parts of the South West

  • A red warning has been lifted but an amber wind warning remains in place until 21:00 GMT, with gusts of 70 to 80mph expected

  • A yellow wind warning is then in force until 06:00 on Sunday

  • More than 36,000 homes in Devon and Cornwall are without power

  • Fallen trees block roads across both counties and rail and air services have been disrupted

Live Reporting

  1. Roads blocked as trees and power lines felled by storm

    We're seeing a number of trees down, so what's the picture on the roads in Devon and Cornwall?

    Here's a rundown:

    • The A399 in Devon is closed in both directions due to a fallen tree from the A361 at Aller Cross, South Molton to Rockshead Hill.
    • The A377 at Northcote Manor in Devon is closed in both directions blocked due to fallen tree at The Portsmouth Arms Hotel and cottages.
    • In Bugle, Cornwall, Station Road is closed in both directions closed due to fallen power cables fromthe A391 Saint Austell Road to The Sidings.

  2. Wind gusts near 70mph in north Devon

    Jonathan Morris
    BBC News Online

    Map showing wind warning in south westMet Office

    Forecasters say there have been gusts of nearly 70mph (113 km/h) on the north Devon coast.

    The wind hit 69mph at Chivenor, with a gust to 92mph across west Wales, so the red warning was totally justified, said BBC South West forecaster Dan Downs.

    "The wind is still picking up across our patch," he said.

    "Additionally, there’s been 34mm of rain over Dartmoor in the last 24 hours."

  3. Fallen tree blocks road in north Devon

    Jonathan Morris
    BBC News Online

    Fallen tree in roadAmber Jarratt

    A tree has blocked a road at King's Nympton in north Devon as strong winds sweep the area from Storm Darragh.

    It comes after National Highways issued an amber severe weather alert for strong winds in the South West until 21:00 GMT.

    Road users are advised to check ahead and plan for disruption to their journeys.

    The strongest and most persistent winds of 60-70 mph are expected along the northern coasts of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.

  4. Argyle match called off

    The Home Park stadiumRex Features

    Plymouth's match with Oxford has been postponed due to the weather.

    Argyle said they had been recommended by the Safety Advisory Group to postpone the match at Home Park.

    A club statement said the decision had been made early "to avoid lengthy travel to Plymouth in difficult weather conditions and also in the best interests of supporter safety, as we would never put the safety of fans, staff or players at risk".

    "There is a real danger of flying debris and potential falling trees which could cause danger to life, with damage to buildings and homes also a real possibility," the statement continued.

  5. Flood alert warning on River Tamar

    There is one flood alert in Devon and Cornwall, meaning flooding is possible, the Environment Agency says.

    The main concern is the River Tamar where a flood alert has been placed on the upper reaches of the river.

    There are also warnings around the nearby rivers in Somerset and on the north Somerset coast.

  6. Thousands without power in Devon and Cornwall

    Jonathan Morris
    BBC News Online

    National Grid says nearly 7,000 properties are without electricity in Devon, along with nearly 2,000 in Cornwall.

    It comes as gusts of between 72-78mph were recorded along the coasts of Wales and Northern Ireland as Storm Darragh sweeps in.

    National Grid said: "Storm Darragh is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain over the weekend.

    "The electricity network is built to be resilient, but extreme weather can impact power supplies."

  7. Trains cancelled as Storm Darragh sweeps in

    Jonathan Morris
    BBC News Online

    GWR train in stationPA Media

    Train travellers in Devon and Cornwall are facing huge disruption this morning with cancellations around the network.

    Rail passengers are advised to postpone their journeys this weekend.

    There are no services between Plymouth and Penzance or between Barnstaple and Okehampton.

    GWR says speed restrictions will be imposed and debris is expected to close lines.

  8. Stay at home warning

    People in Devon and Cornwall are being urged to stay at home as Storm Darragh hits the region - with expected wind gusts up to 90mph.

    The Met Office has issued its highest-level red warning for potentially life-threatening weather.

    The alert is in place until 11:00 GMT on Saturday and covers North Devon.

    There is also an amber warning for high winds in place for the rest of Devon and Cornwall.

    The storm is likely to cause "significant disruption", the Met Office said.

  9. Storm Darragh affects South West

    We'll be bringing you the latest updates on what impact Storm Darragh is having across Cornwall and Devon.

    The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for strong winds across all of the region until early on Sunday.

    An amber warning for strong winds for parts of Devon and Cornwall is in place from 03:00 to 21:00 on Saturday, with a red wind warning in place for parts of north Devon.