Storm Darragh claims first victim when falling tree smashes into van as path of destruction wrought by 93mph gales that left thousands without power is laid bare in shocking pictures

A man in his 40s has died after a tree fell onto his van while he was driving on a dual carriageway during Storm Darragh. The Met Office has issued yellow and amber warnings across Britain on Saturday PENARTH: A view shows a damaged car, after Storm Darragh hit the country in Penarth, Wales NORTHERN IRELAND: A huge tree blocks the slip road to the M1 to Belfast in Ballycare BLACKPOOL: People run in front of The Blackpool Tower after Storm Darragh hit the country SWANSEA: Waves crash into the Mumbles headland near Swansea as Storm Darragh makes its presence felt across the UK SWANSEA: Motorists negotiate their way past a tree blown down by the strong winds of Storm Darragh on Caswell Bay Road in Swansea LIVERPOOL: A postman delivering letters, walks past fallen trees blocking Greenbank road in Liverpool LLANDUDNO: Huts on Llandudno pier - a major tourist attraction - were damaged in the storm BURNHAM-ON-SEA: Contractors work to clear a tree that has fallen on properties following last night's storm winds in Burnham-on-Sea The Met Office issued a red weather warning - the most serious type - on Friday for wind, meaning dangerous weather is expected and people are urged to take action to keep themselves and others safe. BELFAST: The wreckage of an airport bus which crashed on the Ballyrobin Road close to Belfast International Airport in the early hours of Saturday amid Storm Darragh WALES: A dog braves wind and rain on a walk in Porthcawl on Saturday CORNWALL: Huge waves whipped up by gale force winds from Storm Darragh crash against the cliffs at Sennen Cove in Cornwall WALES: A Porsche that was hit by a falling tree in Penarth, Wales PORTHCAWL: Waves crash against the harbour wall in Porthcawl, Wales, as Storm Darragh batters the UK LIVERPOOL: A fallen tree which has hit a car on Greenbank Road in Liverpool as Storm Darragh brings strong winds and heavy rain LIVERPOOL: Part of a fallen tree which has hit a car on Greenbank Road in Liverpool DOVER: A ferry struggles to cross the channel while travelling from Dover to Calais on Saturday during Storm Darragh SOMERSET: Road in Burnham-on-Sea in Somerset where a large tree has fallen across the road as Storm Darragh brings strong winds and heavy rain BROAD HAVEN: A surfer rides a wave off the coast of Broad Haven South, Pembrokeshire #StormDarragh continues to bring strong winds across the UK, with Red, Amber and Yellow wind warnings in force ⚠️ https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs Here are the highest wind gusts so far 👇 Stay #WeatherAware ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/mHjUZeD4UW — Met Office December 7, 2024 Fallen trees crushed cars on Cardiff's exclusive Cathedral Road, with one resident describing a 'superb effort' from a council that cleared a tree that fell during Storm Darragh, breaking windows and damaging the wall around a property. pic.twitter.com/ikF8iJRTGs — Everton December 7, 2024 LIVERPOOL: The scene outside the Goodison Park stadium after Liverpool's clash with Everton was postponed due to bad weather caused by storm Darragh LIVERPOOL: E-scooters are strewn on the pavement outside Goodison Park, where Liverpool had been due to play Everton on Saturday AINTREE: A broken rail at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, where this afternoon's race has been abandoned due to Storm Darragh AINTREE: A broken rail is strewn across the Aintree racecourse in the aftermath of Storm Darragh OXTON: A fallen tree blocks a road in Oxton, west of Liverpool as Storm Darragh brings strong winds and heavy rain SWANSEA: Motorists negotiate their way past a tree blown down by the strong winds of Storm Darragh on Caswell Bay Road in Swansea CARDIFF: Workers scramble to remove a fallen tree after it smashed into a car on Cathedral Road in Cardiff CARDIFF: A fallen tree that has smashed into a car on Cathedral Road in Cardiff, South Wales, in the wake of Storm Darragh Authorities on both sides of the border had made preparations ahead of the worst of the storm making landfall. LONDON: A woman struggle with her hair while walking along Westminster Bridge in central London on Saturday WALES: A person watching the crashing waves along Aberystwyth promenade as the wind strengthens from storm Darragh last night IRELAND: Waves tumble in as Storm Darragh makes landfall at Blacksod in County Mayo, Ireland Here's a look at #StormDarragh from space 👀 The radar shows many areas have had some heavy rain overnight with the strongest winds on the western side of the storm 🌬️ Stay #WeatherAware ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/aFkuXlP1vA — Met Office December 7, 2024 'The Emergency Alert system will send a message to every compatible mobile phone in the impacted areas, containing information about the red warning and guidance on how to stay safe into Saturday.