Storm Eleanor: Strong winds and travel warning for Wales
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The weather warning is in force from 18:00 on Tuesday
Strong winds have closed two bridges to high-sided vehicles and traffic disruption is expected as Storm Eleanor hits Wales, the Met Office has warned.
A yellow "be aware" warning, external covers the whole of Wales and is in effect for 24 hours from 18:00 GMT on Tuesday.
The forecaster recorded 79mph (127km/h) gusts of wind in Capel Curig, Conwy county.
Western Power said almost 700 homes across Wales had experienced power cuts.
There was a warning the strong winds, along with high tides, could cause large waves, leading to debris on sea fronts.
Ceri Jones from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said: "Large waves could overtop defences and throw up debris - this could easily cause injury or knock you off your feet."
NRW has issued 36 flood warnings, external across the country.
The Met Office alert said there was a small chance of injuries and danger to life, as well as minor property damage and disruption to power and other services.
Almost 700 homes were without power in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot and Cardiff at one point.
At 23:00 on Tuesday more than 400 properties were still experiencing power cuts, but Western Power said they expected it to be restored by 01:00 on Wednesday., external
The A477 Cleddau Bridge in Pembrokeshire and the M48 Severn Bridge were both closed to high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists were advised not to cross.
Motorists in north Wales were warned to approach the A55 Britannia Bridge with care.
A pebble bank provides a natural sea defence for Newgale, but pebbles often spill onto the road in stormy weather
Train services are expected to be affected until 06:00 on Wednesday, with delays caused by 50mph (80km/h) speed limits on most routes and people have been urged to check before they travel.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries cancelled some sailings between Wales and Ireland, and urged passengers to check their websites for updates.
The Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Unit also tweeted to warn of awful driving conditions in the county.
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The A487 between Fishguard, Pembrokeshire and Cardigan, Ceredigion was closed due to high tides.
The road has previously flooded and, in 2014, 10 people had to be rescued when a bus was hit by a large wave.
The A4109 has been closed in both directions in Aberdulais, Neath Port Talbot, due to flooding.
And the A466 in Tintern, Monmouthshire, will be closed, external at the junction with Trelleck Road and the junction with Royal George during high tide on Wednesday and Thursday.
Closures are expected to be from 08:15-08:45 and 20:45-21:15 on Wednesday and from 09:00-09:30 on Thursday.
Monmouthshire council said the road would only close if it actually floods and would open once the water recedes.
- Published3 January 2018
- Published1 January 2018
