Hundreds of homes in Wales are facing power outages and flooding as Storm Herminia sweeps through the region. The Met Office has issued a weather alert for heavy rain, starting from midday Sunday and expected to last until the end of Monday. As a result of the storm, over 700 homes in south and west Wales were left without power on Sunday afternoon. While Storm Herminia has not met the criteria to be classified as a named storm by the UK Met Office, it has caused significant disruptions across Wales.
Ferries have been cancelled, roads closed due to fallen trees, and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has issued 15 flood alerts for coastal areas and mid and west Wales on Monday morning. In Monmouthshire, part of the A466 had to be closed due to a fallen tree. The National Grid reported 13 power cuts affecting approximately 773 homes on Sunday afternoon, with areas like Merlin’s Bridge in Pembrokeshire, Splott in Cardiff, and Aberporth in Ceredigion being the worst hit. By Monday morning, power had been restored to most of the affected areas. Transport services were also impacted, with buses running in place of trains on certain routes due to severe weather conditions.
The unsettled weather in Wales is not unfamiliar, as Storm Éowyn had caused chaos on Friday and Saturday, with power cuts and gusts of up to 93mph. The Met Office has warned of more bad weather on Monday, forecasting strong winds, showers, and coastal gales. The weather agency predicts frequent heavy showers with possible thundery downpours and a risk of localized flooding. Despite the challenging conditions, the temperatures are expected to remain relatively mild, with a minimum temperature of 4°C.
Met Office’s yellow warning for rain covers several areas in Wales, including Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Carmarthenshire, Gwynedd, and Wrexham among others. Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mark Sidaway shared insights, stating that while the weather is expected to remain wet and windy, conditions will gradually improve towards the later part of the week. The forecast suggests a decrease in shower intensity and frequency on Tuesday, with possible sunny spells later in the day.
Looking ahead, the Met Office predicts less windy and cloudy weather towards the end of the week, with mainly dry conditions expected. Despite the challenges posed by the recent storms, there is hope for a more settled weather pattern in the coming days. As Wales braves through the aftermath of Storm Herminia, residents are urged to stay vigilant and prepared for any further weather-related disruptions. Stay tuned for the latest updates and alerts as the region navigates through the impacts of the recent storms.