STORM BRIAN BRINGS 78MPH GUSTS
WINDS of more than 70mph brought by Storm Brian battered Wales, closing roads and blocking railway lines yesterday. Gusts of 78mph were recorded at Capel Curig and Aberdaron in North Wales, while the wind peaked at 75mph at Mumbles and a top wind speed of 66mph was recorded at Porthcawl by the RNLI.
The M4 was closed for several hours at Briton Ferry, between junctions 41 and 42, causing disruption on surrounding roads. The old Severn Bridge was also closed for most of the day because of the high winds.
In Pembrokeshire, the A477 Cleddau Bridge was partially closed while the A55 Britannia Bridge between Anglesey and the mainland was closed to high-sided vehicles.
In coastal communities around Wales, huge waves battered sea- fronts, promenades and seawalls.
Videos and photographs posted on social media showed the promenade in Aberystwyth being repeatedly inundated as waves landed.
In Porthcawl, Aberaeron and many other seaside towns there were similar scenes.
Waves appeared taller than seafront buildings, leading the RNLI to issue a warning to thrill seekers about the danger of getting too close.
Community Safety Partner for the RNLI Steve Instance said: “The large swell will mean that areas normally accessible at low tide may be cut off by storm surges.
“Sea walls and harbour areas may become inundated with surface flooding and large waves.”
Flood warnings were issued for Aberystwyth, Newgale, Dale, Amroth, Pendine, Kidwelly and Crofty in the Gower by Natural Resources Wales, although these were removed after high tide passed.
Waves ripped the doors off the harbour master’s office at Tenby, where the RNLI crew launched just after 9.30am to reports of a person in difficulty at Skrinkle, despite the wind being at storm force 10, which is between 55mph and 63mph.
The crew was later stood down after the “casualty” was located and found to be safe.
In Cardiff, a busy road was shut when a mature oak tree blew down.
The city council said that it was likely to be more than five hours before they were able to reopen the road, as they would need a crane to lift the tree.
Western Power Distribution also reported a number of power cuts across the country, with as many as 200 homes without power at different points, with Newport and Caerphilly worst affected.
By mid morning dozens of train services faced delays as debris blocked railways lines. Many more were later cancelled altogether.
A train struck a tree near Cross Keys, Caerphilly county, but no injuries were reported. The line to Ebbw Vale also closed after a tree became jammed underneath the train.
National Rail advised passengers not to travel along the Cambrian Coast line between Pwllheli or Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury.
Stena Line cancelled the 13:10 BST service between Fishguard and Rosslare.
In North Wales, volunteers on Beaumaris Lifeboat risked their lives by braving gale force winds to deal with a hoax call.
Reports of two red rocket flares being sighted sparked an alert and led to volunteers on the Beaumaris Lifeboat being tasked to scour the area in treacherous conditions.
The crew searched the Menai Straits between the Menai Bridge and Beaumaris, struggling with poor visibility, along with winds gusting force six and seven – only to discover the flares were actually coming from Llandegfan and not from at sea, following information from Bangor Mobile Coastguard Rescue Service.
The effects of Storm Brian, which was named by the Irish Met office, started to be felt across Wales at dawn and, as the day progressed, the winds strengthened.
High spring tides led to the overtopping of sea defences in many places.
Large amounts of debris was also washed ashore, leading to the closure of the road between Amroth and Wiseman’s Bridge in Pembrokeshire. Tonnes of pebbles were also washed over the A487 at Newgale.
South Wales Police issued a warning about “horrendous driving conditions”.
Two separate instances of unsafe structures in Llanelli were attended by the Fire Service.
A spokeswoman confirmed that a crew attended a property on Pembrey Road, where a garage roof has been dislodged.
Separately, a fascia board which had come loose on a property on Llys Newydd, was secured by a Llanelli crew.
Today is forecast to be a much less windy and brighter day, with some showers.