Storm? What storm? Revellers courageous Darragh’s livid winds to hit the city for Christmas evening out – as gales declare second sufferer and hundreds stay with out energy
Christmas revellers let their hair down last night despite a yellow wind warning with the country being battered by Storm Darragh.
In Leeds, three girls chose to bring their brollies, and were blown away when it came to hitting the town – even as they were told to beware of winds in excess of 45mph in the city centre.
Britain remains under a yellow warning for wind, while parts of the South West and Wales were escalated to a red warning with ‘danger to life’ as trees were uprooted – and two motorists were killed by falling trees..
Those under the red warning were told to stay indoors as more than 175,000 houses lost their power connection as roofs were ripped up and trees brought down.
However, the weather warning did not stop those wanting to go on the razzle in 40mph winds.
A group of young men were seen dressed up as Santa and posing for a selfie as they enjoyed their nights.
Some partygoers donned their best Christmas jumpers as well as a range of seasonal outfits which included Mother Christmas and Reindeer headbands.
In Leeds, three girls chose to bring their brollies, and were blown away when it come to hitting the town
Some partygoers donned their best Christmas jumpers, like this girl in Leeds
The revellers are seen cowering under just jackets from the rain in Leeds
Meanwhile, others chose simplicity and put on a Santa hat as they went off to grab their pints.
The determined partygoers were seen bare-legged as they headed out onto the town amid the windy weather conditions.
Some revellers were seen cowering under thin jackets and brollies shielding them from the rain and gale force winds as others simply grinned as their hair was blown up in the breeze.
Some used their jackets as shields from the rain while others, seemingly wearing Christmas pyjamas, just embraced the rough weather.
It comes as more strong winds are set to batter much of the UK after Storm Darragh swept through the country.
Gusts of up to 80mph could hit Northern Ireland until 6am on Sunday, before a fresh yellow Met Office wind warning comes into force across much of England and Wales.
More widely there are likely to be gusts of 35-45mph inland, even reaching 70mph around coasts during the morning.
It means that further travel disruption and power cuts are likely until 6pm, the Met Office said.
However, this did not stop those wanting those wanting to go on a night on the razzle
Two girls seeking shelter from the rain under an umbrella in Leeds
While others cannot do anything but stand as their hairs get blown up in the wind.
A group of lads were seen dressed up as Santa and posing for a selfie as they enjoyed their nights
Other chose simplicity and just put on a Santa hit and off they went to grab their pints in Leeds
For some their brollies weren’t strong enough in the face of the windy conditions in Leeds
Storm Darragh brought gusts of 93mph to some parts of the country on Saturday, with millions warned to stay indoors, tens of thousands left without power and trains cancelled.
The Government’s ‘risk to life’ alert came into effect at 1am on Saturday and was sent to people within the area covered by the Met Office’s rare red warning for wind in parts of Wales and south-west England.
Energy Networks Association said 259,000 customers across England, Scotland and Wales were without power as of Saturday evening.
It said that 80% of homes affected by the storm have been reconnected.
The Environment Agency had 56 flood warnings in place in England on Saturday evening, meaning flooding is expected.
Darragh also wreaked havoc with traffic as the Prince of Wales Bridge over the River Severn and the nearby Severn Bridge is closed, while a number of rail services and flights have been disrupted due to strong winds.
In Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, a large tree was uprooted and blown on to houses, while just along the coast at Weston-super-Mare huge waves crashed against the sea defences, threatening sightseers.
BURNHAM-ON-SEA: A tree narrowly misses a house after being blown over in Storm Darragh on Oxford Street in Burnham-on-Sea
Sports events across the UK and Ireland were thrown into disarray, including a Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton which was axed over safety fears.
Two men were killed by falling trees hitting their vehicles.
West Midlands Police said the latest victim was killed when a tree fell and hit his car on Silver Birch Road, Erdington, on Saturday afternoon.
Sergeant Benjamin Parsons, of the roads policing unit, said: ‘Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this time, and his next of kin have been informed.’
The road was closed with drivers urged to avoid the area.
Earlier in the day, a man died after a tree fell onto his van in Lancashire.
The man, in his 40s, was driving his Citroen vehicle on the A59 at Longton, near Preston, at about 9am on Saturday.
