Storm-force winds in Wales leave thousands without power

Around 10,000 homes and businesses across south and west Wales have been left without power during storm-force winds on Saturday.

Winds of up to 80mph brought down trees and power lines, putting drivers in danger.

The BBC reports that the M4 was closed both ways for two hours on Saturday between Margam and Pyle after a caravan overturned.

Natural Resources Wales said that nine flood warnings were issued in coastal areas on Saturday.

Speaking to Sky News, South Wales Police Force Incident Manager Emma Tyler said that the force was receiving about 20 reports an hour of trees coming down on roads and pavements.

"The wind started picking up about 2pm and was gusting between 4pm and 5pm," she said.

"I lost count of how many calls we had.

"We had a lot of trees down but there were no reports of injuries and no fatalities. It was just disruption."

Wales Online reports that the roof of the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend was damaged and off the A48 at Cornelly, 20 sheep were trapped in flood water.

By Sunday morning there was one flood warning in place for Barmouth and three flood alerts for Vyrnwy Catchment, the West Anglesey Coastline and Swansea Bay and the Gower coast.

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