Wrexham Area Battered By ‘The UK Storm’

Severe wind and rain has battered Wrexham, causing damage in and around the area with major disruption to traffic. These are our updates in reverse chronological order documenting the unfolding story live…

We began our live weather blog at 2:40pm and continued to update on the bad weather throughout the evening.

11:30pm We are wrapping up this storm coverage live page as a check around of forecasts, sticking heads out of windows and looking for the latest updates indicate that the storm itself has passed. Below is a final weather radar shot showing the band of weather that has now headed north away from us. The weather forecast tomorrow looks as though going to be calmer throughout, but with a chilly and icy start to the day.

The clean up will continue through the night, and we will be around to update whats going on in and around Wrexham as normal! If you have any pictures, video or information on how it has affected you please pop it in an email to [email protected]

As a team we would also like to say our thoughts are with those without power right now, suffered damage or similar
this evening and we hope things get fixed up sharpish. Stay safe!

10:50pm Andrew has been out this evening taking pictures of a substantial fallen tree in town tonight, saying “We live in the beeches in Acton right by where the tree fell we were in the house when tree fell, the whole house shook”.

10:45pm Power is still out in areas of Wrexham, and we are trying to get more information but are being given generic information. eg. SP Energy are saying “We are continuing to work to restore supplies, however high winds and travel disruptions are causing delays we appreciate your patience. Due to the extensive damage to our network caused by UK STORM a large number of customers will be without electricity overnight.”

10:30pm Wrexham Council have said the following roads are now open after trees/branches were removed:

• Delph Road
• Overton Road
• Bowling Bank
• Griffin Hill

10:22pm Adam says “Still no power in Ruabon ( st mabons ) good job they are well built and warm (they are not)”.

10:20pm North Wales Police have said the Multi Agency response to the severe weather will “now stand down as weather conditions have eased”.

Although the weather has subsided advice from North Wales Police remains the same of not travelling or venturing out unless absolutely necessary.

Scottish Power have also said they are still working on resupplying lost power throughout the region but their efforts are being hampered by the conditions and felled trees blocking roads .

10:10pm Wrexham Council say their Streetscene staff have been out to remove a metal shed on Llangollen Road in Cefn. As you do.

10:05pm Tomorrow morning is likely to see the knock on from tonights events, with North Wales Police tweeting some specifics:

Plan your journeys tomorrow. Britannia Bridge; Mold Road, Wrexham; Nant y Garth, Ruthin, all closed until at least mid morning

— North Wales Police (@NWPolice) February 12, 2014

9:56pm Beverley has just been in touch to say “Just wanted to report huge tree down completely blocking Cloy Lane near Overton. This is usually a cut through for vehicles now that the Bangor on dee (whitchurch to wrexham) road is closed due to floods!” 9:46pm Further to the update from the cordon below, we spotted this tweet from one of our fave PCSO’s, unsure if its the same cordon!

30 cones,full roll of police tape,two signs,Police car across the lane with lights flashing = ROAD IS CLOSED … No!! You can’t come pass!!

— PCSO Tomasz Droszcz (@NWPTDroszcz) February 12, 2014

9:43pm Direct update from the police cordon to us from Mold Road:

Currently on the mold road cordon. Still closed at the moment. Will update if the situation changes. @wrexham please RT

— PCSO Lewis Davies (@NWPLewisDavies) February 12, 2014

9:40pm Thankfully minor damage reported in the town centre so far, including this picture of the sign from the Cross Foxes pub on Abbot Street taken by Speedie Cars:

9:35pm A few enquiring about priority of clearing fallen trees and debris, Wrexham Council say “Staff are working hard to get around the county borough to remove the fallen trees & branches. Please be patient, we will get round to it.”

9:30pm There is a fair amount of respect and good will out there for those emergency responders, staff, volunteers and everyone else who has helped with the situation this afternoon and tonight. Wrexham Council have detailed one such effort saying “A big pat on the back to our Streetscene team. They’ve helped clear the entrance to Ash Grove Nursing Home in Gresford after visitors & staff were blocked in.”

9:20pm Mirroring the situation in gardens around the area Karen has sent us the picture of branches in hers, and Anna says they only moved into their house three days ago and now have a quite substantial fence collapsed:

9:10pm North Wales Police have just issued an update saying “The Multi Agency response to the severe weather affecting all north Wales continues.” with the key points below:

• The ‘Red’ severe weather warnings remain in place as does advice from North Wales Police of not travelling or venturing out unless absolutely necessary.
• Scottish Power are still working on resupplying lost power throughout the region.
• Chief Inspector Darren Wareing who is managing the Multi Agency response from Police HQ in Colwyn Bay said “Our advice remains the same. Please stay indoors where possible as roads are still affected by fallen trees and other debris. Traffic is affected throughout the region and so any unnecessary travel is adding to the problem. Extra care should also be taken if any journey needs to be made on foot due to roofing materials dislodged by high winds.
• “The Multi Agency response will continue until weather and road condition improve however I would also ask that contact with the emergency services is kept at an appropriate and sensible level so our resources can be deployed where absolutely necessary. For any issues about fallen trees or debris that are not affecting traffic or risk to the public please call 101. Only dial 999 if there is a risk to life.”
• People are also asked if they can to continue to look out for elderly vulnerable neighbours and friends.
• Train services remain suspended throughout north Wales with many roads affected by fallen trees and other debris.

North Wales Police have deployed extra resources and are asking members of the public to assist by staying away from affected areas for their own safety and to allow Emergency Service unhindered access.

9pm We do not want to jinx it but it seems the worst has passed. Multiple forecasts have the weather now improving from now into the evening. Looking at direct reports coming to us there is still a safety issue outside with material in odd places – most common around town seems to be recycling bins in roads! There are still trees blocking some roads with other debris. The scale of the resources being used and effort taking place tonight with emergency services can be highlighted by the fact that Mold Road in town is not due to be reopened until *after* rush hour tomorrow morning.

8:50pm A picture has popped up in our inbox from a flat in Eagles Meadow where someone has created a large wooden brace to support one of the windows. We dont think there is any danger externally, but shows the precautions people are taking to deal with the high gust speed of the wind.

8:45pm We have had it confirmed that a double decker bus hit cables that had been blown down while it was travelling on the old Wrexham to Chester Rd earlier tonight. The road was closed off and bus services were affected.  Thankfully we dont believe anyone was injured.

8:41pm Robert Stead just told us “Tree still down on Summerhill Rd. Police car blocking half way down near residential home.”

8:35pm ‏@jace3312 tweeted our @wrexham twitter account the below picture saying “Friend of mine almost crushed by falling tree. Inches away from serious injury”. It appears to be another angle of the car that was almost crushed on Rhosnesni Lane earlier tonight, with more pictures down this page.

8:30pm Lee has emailed us the below picture, brightened by us abit to show the contents better, saying “This was on the way home from work on Tatham road Ruabon !”

8:22pm Several asking about mobile phone issues in the area. We have been told a mast around Llangollen is ‘playing up’, we dont think that is a technical term though. O2 users seem most affected.

8:20pm North Wales Police have issued a ‘multi agency’ update saying “‘Red’ severe weather warnings remain in place with North Wales Police advising not to travel unless absolutely necessary and for those whose need is essential to allow extra time, drive within the conditions and check Traffic Wales for updates.”

Other bits of advice included “Please don’t travel unless it is absolutely necessary.”

The officer also added for those who are able to check upon the welfare of any vulnerable neighbours and friends.

8:13pm Hearing how various road closures have affected commutes, with one person taking 90 mins to travel 10 miles, another stuck on a road for an hour without moving.

8:00pm: The Council have just issued an update on roads that have been closed due to fallen branches. In total at least 30 trees have fallen today as a result of the strong winds:

“Our crews are working hard to remove fallen and loose branches caused by the high winds. We’ve had reports of at least 30 fallen trees so please be patient as we attempt to remove them.

The following roads are closed due to fallen branches –

Straight Mile, Bangor on Dee
Summerhill Road
Oak Drive, Acton
Wynnstay Lane
Rhosnesni Lane
Penycae Road
Bowling Bank
Elm Drive, Acton
Saltney Road”

7:45pm: A lorry has overturned near the Five Fords on the Industrial Estate. Richard has just sent us the below picture of the incident.

We have been told the driver is ok and smashed his way out of the HGV by smashing the windscreen.

7:41pm: A few people have been in touch asking about bus services and if they’re still running tonight. GHA Coaches posted the following statement on their website earlier this evening:

“Due to severe weather conditions GHA have reluctantly decided to suspend all services with immediate effect. Apologies for any that will be affected by this.”

7:38pm: We have just been told that five Amberon crews are out and about as a result of the severe weather.

7:35pm: After a brief server crash, we are back online. Hurrah! Underneath is a screengrab of the rain forecast for the evening. Luckily the band of rain that is passing over should stop by 7:45pm.

7:25pm Linda says “no power for three and a half hours in Ruabon, huddled up by log fire sipping wine”. That sounds like quite a nice evening all things considered!

7:24pm: North Wales Police have issued a statement reminding people not to travel tonight unless absolutely necessary:

“North Wales Police have deployed extra resources and are asking members of the public to assist by staying away from affected areas, not just for their own safety but also to allow Emergency Service vehicles unhindered access.

Members of the community are being asked to monitor local TV and Radio stations and Police Social Media for updates in relation to the weather and if anyone has any concerns, in an emergency call 999 and appropriate resources will be deployed.”

7:15pm: Simon has just tweeted us to say that a lorry has overturned by 5 Fords on Wrexham industrial Estate. Also a few people have been in touch about powercuts in Cross Lanes.

6:59pm: Beth has just been in touch to say there a lot of trees that have fallen down on the A483 towards Ruabon, particularly in the direction of Acrefair, Trevor and Llangollen.

6:57pm: Rebecca has been in touch about a tree that has fallen down near Sharps in Llay. She added that the power has been out in Hope for the past two hours.

6:50pm: Despite earlier confirmation that Chris Ramsey will be at Glyndwr tonight, the gig has now been CANCELLED due to health and safety. Chris Ramsey tweeted the below to confirm the cancellation:

TONIGHTS SHOW IN WREXHAM IS CANCELLED! Venue just called to tell me. So so sorry guys, not my call. IT WILL BE RESCHEDULED!

— Chris Ramsey (@IAmChrisRamsey) February 12, 2014

6:44pm: Glyndwr sports centre has been closed for the night due to the high winds. Lydia has also been in touch to say that two trees have fallen into the Alyn River in Rossett.

6:43pm: Richard has tweeted us to say a tree has fallen down at the start of Summerhill Road and another past the nursing home.
Police are present and cars are turning around.

6:41pm: Hearing a Chester to Wrexham bus has hit cables in Pulford blown down on the storm. Wrexham Rd likely to be stopped as that gets sorted out.

6:40pm: Simon has just sent us the below picture of Rhosnesni Road. The road is still closed off after a tree fell and
smashed the roof of a Ford Focus earlier this evening.

6:34pm: We’ve just been told a tree has fallen down on the Wrexham Industrial Estate near Cross Lanes. Apparently the road is ‘Impassable’.

6:30pm: Quite a few people have been in touch about power cuts. Areas that have been affected include Chirk, Ceiriog Valley and Penycae. Reports of a lot of flickering lights in Pandy and Rhosddu as well.

6:28pm: Tracy has just been in touch with us via Facebook to say a message has been sent out to parents who have children
in Grango School. The school is closed tomorrow due to ‘structural damage’

6:18pm: Glyndwr have just confirmed to us that the Chris Ramsay gig is going ahead tonight. However the Mold Rd entrance is closed, so people are advised to use the Crispin Lane or Plas Coch entrance.

6:07pm: Wrexham Council have issued a statement about the storms, saying: The A483 Chirk and A5 Newbridge are closed until further notice.

6:03pm: Graham in Pandy just emailed to say he thinks its about the 4th fire engine with blues n twos on in the area.

6:oopm A few people have been in touch regarding a tree that has blown down on the top of Griffin Hill in Gresford.

Traffic on the A483 southbound is still quite bad, with a number of people contacting us about long tailbacks. Cars are also blowing sideways due to the strengthening wind, so please drive carefully.

Wrexham Council have also tweeted to say the damage on Mold Road is minor, but they are monitoring the situation.

@Williams_Wales Minor damage as far as we know but monitoring the situation.

— Wrexham Council (@wrexhamcbc) February 12, 2014

5:58 Emelih has been in touch to say the old Wrexham Rd outside the Beeches now has a tree down on it.

Clare says “Tree down near sharps in Llay. One lane and tight squeeze.” Another Clare tells us “Tree down by the railway bridge approaching Bangor Rd Johnstown. Drive carefully.”

5:50 Kevin says “road between llandegla and Corwen like driving through a forest branches everywhere”.

5:33 Kerry has just sent us this photo of the car damage caused as a result of a tree falling on Rhosnesni Lane. Reports the road is closed off.

5:38 Craig has told us of a solar panel coming off the roof of a house in Gresford and Geraint has said a tree  is down on Llanarmon Road Bwlchgwyn near the Liver Inn.

5:32pm Long tailbacks on the A483, with reports of strong winds on the roads. Rhosnesni Lane has also been closed off due to a fallen tree.

5:22pm Wind is really starting to pick up out there now. Paul has just Tweeted us to say there is a lorry on its side on the Wrexham Industrial Estate. Please drive carefully if you need to go out.

5:18pm As we write the below confirmation is made, Mold Road is CLOSED until tomorrow morning due to the damage and debris from the stadium.

5:16pm Heard an as yet unconfirmed report that there has been some kind of damage to the Mold Rd stand of the Racecourse Ground with debris from it on Mold Road itself. Trying to verify it now!

5:15pm Unsurprisingly it sounds like the Newbridge and Chirk bridges are being shut on the A483 / A5 due to high winds. The traffic diversion is causing tailbacks and slow traffic on the diversion.

Power flickers are becoming more common in town now and the area, and Nigel tells us a tree is down on Holt Road by greyhound public house.

5pm One of us has taken a trip northbound on the bypass and back through Rossett way, and there are alot of wobbly cars and vans out there! The gusts are at times pushing people towards lane edges, and the varying speeds of vehicles are creating issues. Northbound traffic is normal as of now.

Moving to the back roads there are bits of rubbish blowing about, the odd recycling bin in roads and fence panels popped out. Trees have lost small branches, with some bits smashed on the roads. A couple of flag poles were really bending with the straining flags doing their best to remain attached.

4:53pm: Traffic is starting to build on the A483 southbound off the Gresford roundabout (possibly because of the roadworks taking place a bit further up. Josh tweeted us the below pictures of the tailbacks.

We took a quick drive down Chester Road and there’s already some debris on the road, along with a few fallen down branches.

4.38pm As our lights continue to flash on and off power cuts have also been reported in the Johnstown area. Up in Brymbo Sheryl has emailed in to tell us ‘bins are flying everywhere’!

4.32pm Mol and James have informed us a tree has fallen down onto Wrexham Rd adjacent to Pentre Bychan and is covering one side of the road. We’ve also received word of a power cut in the Ruabon area. Some power surges in the town centre too as our lights have been flashing on and off!

4:12pm Kayleigh has been in touch to say there is a power cut on Heol-Y-Plas in Cefn Mawr, and as the weather worsens we are seeing more tweets flying around about the poor weather:

@wrexham getting pretty scary up here near moss valley now #battondownthehatches

— Dave Moss (@Redhotchili2009) February 12, 2014

4:02pm Rain turning to a little hail in town, still at 45 degrees in the gusts. A mix of cold weather and high winds due to continue this evening…

Freezing temperatures are expected this evening so our gritters will be out from 8pm tonight. Please take care on our roads #WxmGrit

— Wrexham Council (@wrexhamcbc) February 12, 2014

3:55pm Ceri has been in touch to say “trees in road all along the A534 Wrexham to Broxton. Slow down!” The A525 is still closed in both directions due to flooding between Bangor-on-Dee Cross Lanes. The river is apparently ‘unbelievable’ and ‘to the top of the arches’.

3:35pm Graham has also sent us this video of the floods by Holt & Farndon, showing the wind zipping across the flooded fields, making mini waves – as he said making it look like the sea!

3:27pm Godfrey tells us that road from plough to crown Llandegla flooded but passable with care, and Graham has been in touch to say there are ‘waves’ on the River Dee. We have started to get bins blown over with Dan sending us a picture from in town, and Beckie sending this shocking scene from Ruabon:

Away from Wrexham the Met Office has recorded a gust of wind of 106MPH at Aberdaron!

2:40pm: Below is the weather radar as of 2:35pm showing the band of bad weather heading in from the west:

The Met Office have issued a ‘be prepared’ warning for our area, verging on a ‘be aware’ warning for the forthcoming weather.

Wrexham Council are tweeting updates, initally saying:

Red weather warning for Wrexham and Lower Dee flood warning in place now. Take care #ukstorm

— Wrexham Council (@wrexhamcbc) February 12, 2014

Severe weather around Wrexham County Borough likely to affect roads and travel from 2pm-10pm today

— Wrexham Council (@wrexhamcbc) February 12, 2014

North Wales Fire and Rescue have issued a warning, not specific to Wrexham, saying “As a result of the ‘Red’ severe warnings that are in place across North Wales, a multi-agency response has begun involving all the emergency services, the local authorities and other partners.”

“If anyone has any concerns, in an emergency call 999 and appropriate resources will be deployed.”

This is the latest view from our Yorke St webcam:

This page will be updated throughout the afternoon and evening, so check back for the latest information.

Tweet us what you see to @wrexham , or email us on [email protected] and we will do our best to include your information!