An amber weather warning has been issued for Merseyside as strong winds hit the region. The weather warning was upgraded from yellow to amber from 1am today (December 7) until 9pm tonight as Storm Darragh moves from west to east.
The amber weather warning covers all of Merseyside, including Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley and St Helens. Gusts of 60mph to 70mph are predicted for the region, with the strongest winds predicted for the afternoon.
The Met Office issued advice on its website ahead of the unprecedented weather. The advice reads: “Prepare to protect your property and people from injury. Check for loose items outside your home and plan how you could secure them. Items include; bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds, and fences.
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“Windy weather can cause delays and make travel conditions dangerous. Follow these few simple steps to prepare before journeys. Check bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. If driving, check road conditions and ensure you have essentials in your car (warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, an in-car phone charger).”People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.”If you are on the coast, stay safe during stormy weather by being aware of large waves, even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea. Take care if walking near cliffs; know your route and keep dogs on a lead. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
“Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.”
We will be bringing you the latest weather updates from across Merseyside here.
23:47Hannah Rees
A cordon remains in place on Church Street in Liverpool city centre this evening. Follow the latest updates here.
Police cordon remains in place on Church Street in Liverpool city centre
22:50Hannah Rees
Here is the latest update from Merseyrail on its website.
Chester line:
Saturday 7th December & Sunday 8th December –
Due to flooding on the railway in the Ledsham area there will be no trains running between Chester and Hooton. A rail replacement bus is in operation. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause
Ormskirk line:
Following an earlier fallen tree at Maghull North, train services are still unable to call at the Ormskirk bound platform at Maghull North station.
Passengers travelling from Maghull North to Ormskirk will need to board a Liverpool bound train to Maghull & then travel back to Ormskirk.
Passengers travelling from Liverpool to Maghull North will need to travel to Town Green, then board a Liverpool bound service back to Maghull North.
Ellesmere Port line:
- 2149 Ellesmere Port – Liverpool has terminated at Hooton.
- 2232 Liverpool – Ellesmere Port has been cancelled.
New Brighton line:
- Services are currently running as scheduled.
West Kirby line:
- Services are currently running as scheduled.
Southport line:
- Services are currently running as scheduled.
Hunts Cross line:
- Services are currently running as scheduled.
Headbolt Lane via Kirkby line:
- Services are currently running as scheduled.
22:06Hannah Rees
A man has died after a tree fell on his car during Storm Darragh. The motorist was travelling along Silver Birch Road, close to Sutton New Road in Erdington, when strong winds uprooted a tree and caused it to crash down.
Emergency services cordoned off the scene tonight (December 7) as they dealt with the incident. The man, who has not been named, is the second person to die due to Storm Darragh. A man, in his 40s, was also killed when his Citroen van was hit by a tree on the A59 in Longton, near Lancashire Police’s headquarters, at about 9am today.
21:46Hannah Rees
In an update shared to Facebook, a spokesperson for Floral Pavilion said: “Storm update: Storm Darragh has caused damaged to the cladding on our roof.
“Police and Fire services are in attendance. Unfortunately, we cannot get to the roof during these strong winds to assess and make repairs. In order that everyone remains safe and avoids any flying debris, everyone is advised to avoid Marine Promenade where possible.
“We are hopeful that tomorrows show will go ahead as planned but we will confirm on Sunday (8 Dec) morning.
“We would like to thank the emergency services for their help during this time.
“To those who were due to journey to Neverland today, we are so disappointed we couldn’t share the show with you and hope you understand that the safety of everyone must come first. Thank you for your continued support and understanding and we can’t wait for you to join us on a rescheduled date of your choosing very soon.”
21:38Jamie Greer
A woman is “shaken” after a huge tree fell onto her house during Storm Darragh. Sandra Richardson, 59, was relaxing in her bedroom at her house in Old Swan at 11.45am this morning when she started hearing noises.
Sandra, who was with her three labradors in her bedroom, saw that her wheelie bins had fallen over. She decided to get out of bed to retrieve them but soon as she did a huge tree outside her house collapsed and fell onto her property.
Sandra says she was only saved from being seriously injured by her double glazed windows, which stopped the branches smashing through the glass and impaling her. Read more here.
Damage to Sandra Richardson’s house in Old Swan (Image: Supplied)
21:13Jamie Greer
In its latest post on X/Twitter, The Met Office has said the weather will remain windy in parts of the UK.
Although #StormDarragh continues to clear eastwards on Sunday morning, it will remain windy across the UK Heavy rain persists in central and eastern parts of England
Stay #WeatherAware https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs pic.twitter.com/Gr9L4elqFR
— Met Office (@metoffice) December 7, 2024
21:04Jamie Greer
Latest travel updates
- Delph Lane in Aughton closed in both directions closed due to sinkhole from Granville Park to Swanpool Lane.
- Hewitts Lane in Kirkby closed in both directions closed due to flooding between A580 East Lancashire Road (Kirkby) and Cut Lane (Knowsley).
- A483 in both directions closed due to strong winds from Ruabon to A5 (Halton Roundabout, Halton).
21:02Hannah Rees
This is the latest on the Merseyrail service updates section of the website.
Chester line:
Saturday 7th December & Sunday 8th December –
Due to flooding on the railway in the Ledsham area there will be no trains running between Chester and Hooton. A rail replacement bus is in operation. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause
Ellesmere Port line:
- Services are currently running as scheduled.
New Brighton line:
- 2053 New Brighton – Liverpool will start at Birkenhead North.
West Kirby line:
- Services are currently running as scheduled.
Southport line:
Following an earlier fault with barriers at a level crossing at Ainsdale the Southport line is returning to normal but may face some delays or cancellations.
- 2121 Liverpool – Southport has been cancelled.
Hunts Cross line/Ormskirk line:
Following an earlier fallen down tree, train services will not call at Platform 2 Maghull North due to debris on the platform.
Headbolt Lane via Kirkby line:
- Services are currently running as scheduled.
20:57Jamie Greer
One mum is “glad” even though a tree landed on her car during today’s storm. Trisha Dodd was stood in the kitchen of her house in Greenbank Road, Mossley Hill this morning (December 7) when there was a “loud noise”.
Seconds later, her daughter came downstairs to tell her what had happened. Trisha told the ECHO: “She came down and said that the big loud noise was a tree falling on our car.”
According to Trisha, the Ford Tourneo will be “written off”. She added: “Our previous car was written off in December last year, further up this road. We should just go into hiding for December in future.” Read more here.
A tree landed on Trisha Dodd’s car in Mossley Hill (Image: Iain Watts/Liverpool Echo)
20:12Jamie Greer
A dad is ‘distraught’ after a tree fell on his taxi during Storm Darragh. Gary Gregory, 40, from Huyton had returned home for 10 minutes after finishing an airport pick-up.
The dad of two heard a bang at around 2pm this afternoon (December 7) and when he looked outside he found that a tree had fallen on his taxi on Cromford Road, Huyton. Images sent by Mr Gregory shows the extent of the damage caused by the tree. The roof of his taxi collapsed after the tree fell onto the vehicle and the back window had smashed.
Speaking to the ECHO, Gary said: “We’re absolutely distraught that this happened. It’s two weeks before Christmas and being on the taxis is my only source of income. I had been out on an airport run and came back to the house for literally 10 minutes. I was about to go back out and heard a big bang and saw the tree on top of my taxi.”
Read more here.
Gary Gregory, 40, from Huyton had returned home for 10 minutes after finishing an airport pick-up (Image: Gary Gregory)
20:06Hannah Rees
Latest Service Updates Due to a train fault, services on the New Brighton line face cancellations or alterations
— Merseyrail (@merseyrail) December 7, 2024
19:58Hannah Rees
A man has died after a tree fell onto his van during Storm Darragh. An investigation has been launched by Lancashire Police after the force were called to the scene at around 9am.
The man in his 40s was driving his Citroen van on the dual carriageway when the tree fell onto his vehicle. The incident happened on the A59 at Longton, near Preston.
His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by a specially trained officer. A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “An investigation is underway after a man died when a tree fell onto his van during Storm Darragh.”
Emergency services were called at around 9am today (Saturday, December 7th) after the incident which happened on the A59 at Longton near to Lancashire Police Headquarters. The man, in his 40s, was driving his Citroen van on the dual carriageway when the tree fell on to his vehicle causing serious injuries. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.”
Detective Sgt Matt Davidson, of our Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “Very sadly this incident has resulted in the death of a man and our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time.”
“An investigation is ongoing, and I would appeal to anyone who saw what happened or has any dashcam or mobile phone footage to please get in touch.”
Anyone with any information should call 101 quoting log 0368 of December 7th or you can email the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at [email protected]
19:51Hannah Rees
A major Liverpool street was closed as Storm Darragh hit Merseyside. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service were alerted at 12.20pm on Saturday, December 7 to damage piece of metal cladding at the front of the Next store on Church Street in Liverpool city centre.
The loose panelling was removed but the shop and the surrounding area remained closed. Merseyside Police confirmed to the ECHO that they attended the scene to help Merseyside Fire and Rescue secure the area.
Read the full story here.
19:25Jamie Greer
The Met Office has extended its yellow weather warning as strong winds are set to continue.
An amber weather warning for wind was issued by the Met Office from 1am until 9pm on Saturday, December 7. A yellow weather warning was set to remain in place between 9pm until 6am on Sunday, December 8. However, forecasters have extended the yellow weather warning until 6pm on Sunday.
On its website, the Met Office said: “Storm Darragh will be moving away from the UK through Sunday but will continue to leave a legacy of strong north to northeasterly winds across much of England and Wales.
“Winds will quite widely gust to 35-45 mph inland but locally could gust in excess of 50 mph, especially over higher ground. Around coasts, winds will gust to 50-60 mph, perhaps locally nearer 70 mph during the morning. The wind may cause disruption to travel, with difficult driving conditions likely. Winds will very slowly ease from the north through the day.” Read more here.
Storm Darragh tree down on Harthill Road, Allerton in Liverpool
18:49Hannah Rees
Services have resumed on the Ellesmere Port line.
⚠️Ellesmere Port services
The obstruction near Overpool has been moved and services on the Ellesmere Port line have now returned to schedule. https://t.co/tk20PfL8gd
— Merseyrail (@merseyrail) December 7, 2024
18:36Paul Philbin
Emergency services have been removing a tree on Walton Lane. An ECHO reader sent in this photo with the clean-up process underway.
Emergency services removing a tree on Walton Lane (Image: Jordan David Brown)
17:49Hannah Rees
Due to Storm Darragh, Liverpool’s Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) has been activated to make emergency accommodation available. If you see anyone rough sleeping this weekend please call their 24/7 outreach team on 0300 123 2041 (low/cost call).
#News: Due to #StormDarragh, Liverpool’s Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) has been activated to make emergency accommodation available.
If you see anyone #roughsleeping this w/e, please call our 24/7 outreach team on 0300 123 2041 (low/cost call). #AlwaysHelpAvailable pic.twitter.com/td8gHaqHDj
— Liverpool City Council (@lpoolcouncil) December 7, 2024
17:36Hannah Rees
The ECHO is still on Church Street in Liverpool city centre where a cordon remains in place this evening.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) were called an incident on Church Street in Liverpool city centre at around 12.20pm on Saturday, December 7.
Fire crew found ‘storm damage’ to the front of a Next shop involving a piece of metal cladding.
Following a multi-agency meeting with Merseyside Police and Liverpool Council, Church Street and a junction on Lord Street have been closed.
17:25Paul Philbin
Our reporter Wesley Holmes has just sent this image from William Jessop Way.
Billboards have fallen on William Jessop Way near waterfront (Image: Liverpool ECHO)
17:20Paul Philbin
Travel latest
- Beechwood Avenue in both directions closed due to fallen tree from Leathers Lane to Wood Road. Traffic is coping well.
- Central Drive in both directions closed due to fallen tree from Eaton Road to South Drive.
- Copperas Hill in both directions closed, slow traffic due to obstruction on the road from Bolton Street to Skelhorne Street.
- Delph Lane in both directions closed due to sinkhole from Granville Park to Swanpool Lane.
- Hewitts Lane in both directions closed due to flooding between A580 East Lancashire Road (Kirkby) and Cut Lane (Knowsley).
17:11Paul Philbin
A major Liverpool road has been closed until tomorrow due to two fallen trees. Liverpool City Council has confirmed that Croxteth Hall Lane will remain shut after the fallen trees present a risk to safety.
The closure is in place from Deysbrook Lane to Oak Lane. Elsewhere the council has confirmed that there are road closures on Beauclair Drive (L18), Green Bank Road (L18) and Central Drive (L12). In a statement posted on X, formely Twitter, Liverpool City Council said: “Croxteth Hall Lane, from Deysbrook Lane to Oak Lane is closed until tomorrow due to two fallen trees presenting risks to safety.
16:04Paul Philbin
Urgent Notice!Please be advised that Church Street in the city centre is now closed until further notice due to the risk posed by damage to a building. We kindly ask that you avoid the area for your safety.
Updates: https://t.co/pfaZ7kTaIT#StaySafe #StormDarragh pic.twitter.com/3w4WcUmxM9
— Liverpool City Council (@lpoolcouncil) December 7, 2024
15:37Conaill Corner
Pictures show a large fallen tree on a residential street in Gateacre.
Fallen tree in Gateacre (Image: Lisa Beckett-Quinn)
Fallen tree in Gateacre (Image: Lisa Beckett-Quinn)
15:27Conaill Corner
A fallen tree can be seen blocking Central Drive in West Derby. Kishanda McGrail, who photographed the scene, said that the tree has hit a car and a house, taking a sandstone wall out too. There is apparently another blockage further up the road.
Central Drive in West Derby (Image: Kishanda McGrail)
Central Drive in West Derby (Image: Kishanda McGrail)
15:12KEY EVENT
Storm Darragh feels relentless, but it won’t last forever. Click here to find out when the winds will die down.
14:52Paul Philbin
The Liverpool City Region Off-Track team are now at #Huyton, responding to reports of a fallen tree blown on to the track at #Huyton by #StormDarragh
Please check @nationalrailenq for the latest travel updates
— Liverpool Lime St (@NetworkRailLIV) December 7, 2024
14:27Conaill Corner
A fallen tree is blocking Belle Vale Road, Gateacre
14:07Paul Philbin
Harthill Road, Allerton, Liverpool #StormDarragh
Pam Shipperlee pic.twitter.com/1sq8or46cc
— Angies Liverpool (@angiesliverpool) December 7, 2024
13:57Conaill Corner
There was a fire on the track at Hunts Cross station earlier this afternoon. Merseyrail have confimed this but have said it is a “normal” pot fire.
13:53Paul Philbin
We’re now out on site at Hunts Cross to deal with some more debris on the track caused by #StormDarragh
We’re working as fast as we can to resolve the issue & we apologise for the disruption to @merseyrail passengers@LivEchonews @MetroMayorSteve @Merseytravel
— Liverpool Lime St (@NetworkRailLIV) December 7, 2024
