Posted: Thu 23rd Feb 2017

Storm Doris Hits Wrexham Area

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area
This article is old - Published: Thursday, Feb 23rd, 2017

Storm ‘Doris’ is passing through the area this morning & into this afternoon – we collated updates from 8am to 4:15pm documenting its path..

If you spot any damage or effects of the storm pop us an email to [email protected], a DM to our @wrexham twitter account or pop us a Facebook message.

6pm One final update – a few more shots from earlier via Mark including the road closed on Chester Road, and a close up of the damage to the car in the Dental Centre car park.

North Wales Police have also said thanks to the public, colleagues in partner agencies and their own staff for their response in relation to Storm Doris, adding they dealt with an extra 500 odd calls today due to the weather. Officers are advising that issues such as fallen trees and branches are still causing issues on some minor roads across the region and are advising people to drive safely.

4:15pm The sun is out*, the wind has dropped and the rain has stopped… and with that we are wrapping up our live Doris coverage. Thank you all for reading, and extra thanks to all who sent in information that helped keep people informed!
* it was, honest, like for a minute.

4:05pm The Chirk bypass has reopened!

4pm The Doris damage is still being encountered, although the storm has definitely gone!

3:45pm Better version of the video referenced below…

3:35pm Josh has sent us this video of a narrow escape, with a tree falling in his path… scrub that better version above!

3:20pm Do not want to tempt fate but it seems that the worst of Doris has passed… back to being a normal overcast blustery February day. Forecasts had everything calming down by now, and for once, they appear correct! There is a weather warning in place until 8pm so do take care.

3:08pm Told Station Road in Rossett is without power, although no faults showing on the public checker systems. There has been a few power blips around the area, as you would expect with the earlier battering.

3pm Oswestry police have tweeted this picture of the overturned lorry that has caused the road closure by Chirk.

2:55pm Daz has sent us these pictures of the huge tree that has hit cars on The Homestead off Bersham Road. We believe no one has been injured thankfully, but there is severe damage to the vehicle. It appears there has also been an issue raised over the tree itself previously.

2:46pm If you had not seen, Wrexham police station’s custody suite has a twitter account… and they are joining in with Doris – noting this chap has been located after an earlier appeal:

2:45pm Although the storm has noticeably lessened in Wrexham over the last half hour, people are still encountering the results of the storm. Jac Taylor sent us this pic from off Prince Charles Road:

2:40pm Was about to say its been about 15mins since a siren, but another police car just zooming into town. Emergency services still busy this afternoon, although the Welsh Ambulance Service did tell us earlier there was no specific ‘Doris’ related call outs thankfully.

2:30pm Sian in touch with concerns over some roof tiles on Bradley Road, some falling onto pavement by bus stop – and a wobbly chimney pot nearby.

2:23pm North Wales Police control room have just said the High Street in Coedpoeth closed ‘due to falling tiles please find alternative route’.

2:14pm Doris is not giving up…

2:11pm Do not be fooled by the sun poking out, it is still very grim in town with sideways rain. There was even sideways sleet at one point… we are using the old tea towel on head trick to dry out!

2:04pm Just been told Chirk Bypass closed in both directions Halton – Gledrig roundabouts due to overturned vehicle. Recovery underway and diversion through Chirk at this moment in time.

1:55pm: Warning from North Wales Police about the windy conditions across Wrexham and Flintshire. People advised to take extra care if heading out.

1:39pm: Tree down on Llay Industrial Estate – picture below sent to Wrexham.com by Kevin Knight.

Elsewhere in Llay the local library has just confirmed on Twitter that it will be closed the remainder of the day due to the storm.

1:28pm: Quick walk through (more blown across) the town centre – part of Lord Street has been taped off due to a fallen tree outside the Contact Wrexham Centre. Couple of other trees / signs in town which are looking a bit worse for wear due to Doris.

1:23pm: Reports of a fallen tree near Speed Six in Pandy – was a temporary traffic jam while the tree was removed, however the road is all clear now!

1:10pm: Wind picking up again – due to calm down in the next few hours, however a few more trees have blown over – including this massive tree on Old Wrexham Road in Gresford.

1:06pm: We’ve just braved Doris and had a drive around Wrexham – Chester Road is all clear following the earlier reports that it had been closed off.

The tree on Rhosnesni Lane which was blocking the road earlier has been moved to the pavement and is being chopped up. Road is all clear now!

Picture sent to Wrexham.com by Nakia Evans

1pm: Reports of flooding around the Kingsmills area..


12:58pm: Nicola has been in touch to there is a power cut in the Worthenbury area. No indication when the fault will be repaired.

12:39pm There is a Chester Road tree update via Nightingale House, where the iffy tree is… they quoted our update and said: “The tree is falling apart and the lumberjacks are doing their best work making it safe #StormDoris”

12:34pm Wind not died off but it does feel like the worst has passed over the town centre. Pictures of damage still coming in, ranging from trees down to tiles off roofing. This pic of Pont Adam in Ruabon was just sent over by Hana:

12:17pm Just been told by King Street Coffee Co in the bus station things have become so bad they have brought their sign indoors. We here at Wrexham.com have also been affected…

12:12pm Told part of Chester Road is down to one lane between Grove Road / Powell Road junction (bottom end into town) due to concerns over a possibly unsafe tree. Police not confirmed info as yet, but we are told its closed off by police.

12:04pm A storm is always a good excuse to revisit planning decisions…

Midday! David and Grant have sent us this pic of a tree down Smithfield Road / Queensway – and as our tweet just now, George has sent a snap of a tree leaning in Borras.

11:46am David sent us this picture of the incident we put up at 9:35am where a trampoline flew into the back of a VW in Penycae earlier – but also ponders who will pay for the damage!

11:45am Tree half down but blocking road in Penley, Jemma sent us this picture:

11:37am Our ‘shocking debris’ pictures from Rhosddu when we nipped out just now look a tad rubbish compared to the ones from Rhosnesni.

11:35am: Roads fairly quite out there with the vast majority doing between 40mph – 50mph on bypass. Seems a couple of drivers aren’t reducing their speed…. Stay safe if heading out!

11:26am Kelly has just sent us this picture of a large tree down on Borras Road

11:25am: Arriva Trains Wales are advising people not to travel unless necessary, with services between Wrexham and Bidston cancelled for most of the afternoon due to a fallen tree currently blocking the track in Caergwrle.

11:21am:  Josh sent us this picture saying “Stick to the main roads if you’re trying to get from Wrexham to Mold!”

11:17am Wrexham Council tell us they have ‘no major issues at the moment’ with around a dozen trees down across the county borough, but Streetscene are dealing with them.

11:13am Lisa has sent us this picture of a tree down in Caia, narrowly missing a car:

10:52am As mentioned earlier, trampolines and gazebos seem to be the main culprits in stormy weather

10:42am Slates off the roof in Rhosrobin, a scene common around town it seems…

10:38am Town is gusty and wet, the main storm is still an hour or two away going by the radars. RIP the bins of the town, and the umbrella that found a corner of the Racecourse’s Mold Road Stand to smash itself apart in.

10:32am Nant y Garth closed with fallen trees,

10:10am Tree has fallen in the storm – appearing to smash a car windscreen. Mark sent us this picture from the dental centre. We are also told “Tree partially blocking road to Rhosymedre by Plas Madoc recycling.”

10am Harrowing scenes from Brymbo and Rhosrobin with early ‘Doris’ hitting – thanks to Emma and Alison for sending the vids:

9:51am Just had a brief trip around town and nipped onto the bypass, which seemed much quieter than usual with people perhaps avoiding the route. Most cars were doing 50mph, however a couple of very brave drivers still belted along in the 80’s. In the short stretch we went down there were two smaller lorries pulled over, perhaps broken down, or more likely feeling it was unsafe to drive with the hefty gusts.

9:49am First update from Wrexham Council on the storms… and it is not what you would perhaps expect:
“Wrexham Trading Standards are reminding residents that during periods of bad weather, traders may attempt to use this to their advantage for business.

“Due to the severe windy and blustery weather conditions, residents may notice an increase in trader’s cold calling and/or leafleting for work. Trading Standards would therefore like to remind residents to be especially careful if they need remedial work doing on their homes.The important things to remember are; if in doubt keep them out, if you don’t want to do business with the trader don’t let them in. Additionally if you find that repairs are needed to your property contact Citizens Advice Service on 08454 04 05 06 for further advice.

“The important things to remember are; if in doubt keep them out, if you don’t want to do business with the trader don’t let them in. Additionally if you find that repairs are needed to your property contact your insurance provider and Citizens Advice Service on 03454 04 05 06 for further advice.”

9:35am: Cllr John Phillips has tweeted the below picture of a smashed car window due to a trampoline blowing away in Penycae this morning:

9:25am: Gusts starting to pick up out there – speeds of 53mph recorded in Rhostyllen!

9:10am: First report of a fallen tree in the Wrexham area…

8:55am: Wind and rain really starting to pick up outside. Screenshot below of the current band of rain passing over the area. Keep safe if heading out today!

8:49am: National Rail are now reporting that buses are running between Wrexham and Bidston due to a tree on the line.

8:38am: Gusts have reached over 80mph along the North Wales coast, with wind set to worsen around midday.

There’s a few issues / train delays across the area due to fallen trees on the lines, with the Wrexham and Bidston line.

North Wales Police are also advising people to take extra care if heading out this morning.

8:01am: Gusts of 87mph have been recorded at Mace Head in Ireland as the storm progresses east towards us, with North Wales due to be hit quite hard in all forecasts so far.

The Met Office warning reads: “Severe gales will blow across Wales today. The worst of the wind will be in the north during the morning with gusts of 60mph anywhere, and 80mph on coasts and hills. Fallen trees and damage to power lines are likely.”

The storm is due to be at its local peak around lunchtime and early afternoon:

Gusts of 46mph have already been recorded in the area as of 7am:

Roads do seem clear as of 8am however there could be issues on the railways already:

If you spot any damage or effects of the storm pop us an email to [email protected], a DM to our @wrexham twitter account or pop us a Facebook message.



Spotted something? Got a story? Email [email protected]



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