Storm Darla hits UK and Ireland, killing one person and leaving hundreds of thousands without power
LONDON (AP) — High winds and heavy rain battered areas of Britain and Ireland on Saturday, killing one man and leaving hundreds of thousands without power.
Earlier on Saturday, officials issued a rare emergency warning by phone to around 3 million homes in Wales and southwest England, where wind gusts of up to 93 mph were recorded.
The official alert, which emits a loud siren-like sound warning people to stay indoors, was sent to every compatible mobile phone in areas affected by Storm Dara.
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In northwest England, a man in his 40s died when a tree fell on his van while driving on the motorway near Preston, about 36 miles (58 kilometers) north of Manchester. .
On Friday, the Met Office Met Office issued a red weather warning – the most severe type. Thousands of homes were left without power overnight, many in Northern Ireland, Wales and the west of England.
Major highways and bridges across the country were closed due to strong winds, and many train services were suspended.
In Ireland, nearly 400,000 homes, farms or businesses were without power due to the storm. Some flights at Dublin Airport have been cancelled.
