More than 33,000 homes and businesses are without power as extreme winds and rain from Storm Darragh sweep across Wales.

A red Met Office weather warning – the highest level – came into effect from 03:00 GMT and in force until 11:00, forcing Cardiff Airport to close its runway during this period.

The wind warning has predicted dangerous and perhaps life-threatening conditions across 13 counties across Wales.

Strong gusts are buffeting the coasts and hills of north, west and south Wales with the Met Office recording winds of 94mph (151 km/h) at Capel Curig, Conwy county, at 08:00.

Three flood warnings – the second highest alert – are in effect for the River Vyrnwy near Newbridge, Powys, and the River Severn in Monmouthshire at Abermule and Aberbechan.

Some roads are closed and train routes have been disrupted across the country, with all ferry sailings to Ireland cancelled.

In south Wales, multiple sections of the M4 are closed and Transport for Wales has asked rail passengers to check before travelling, with numerous services not running.

Great Western Railway said all trains between Carmarthen and Bristol were cancelled.

High winds also meant closures on the Prince of Wales bridge and M48 Severn Bridge in Monmoutshire and the Cleddau bridge in Pembrokeshire.

Cardiff City’s home Championship fixture against Watford on Saturday has been postponed, as has Newport County’s against visitors Carlisle United in League Two.

About three million people in Wales and south-west England received an alert on their mobile phone on Friday evening, warning them of in incoming weather.

It affects people in Gwynedd, Conwy, Ceredigion, Anglesey, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend, Vale of Glamorgan, Cardiff, Monmouthshire and Newport.

Mobile phones made a loud siren-like sound even if set to silent. The sound and vibration lasted about 10 seconds.

It was the largest use of the warning system outside a test scenario – the last test being in April 2023.

An amber warning for rain has been in force since 03:00 and will remain until 18:00 on Saturday.

Up to 3.5in (90mm) could fall across 14 counties in south and mid Wales.

There is also an amber warning for wind covering Wales from 01:00 to 21:00 and a yellow rain warning until noon.

The last red warning in Wales came during Storm Eunice in 2022, which left tens of thousands without power.

The red wind warning covers Bridgend, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Gwynedd, Anglesey, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Swansea and Vale of Glamorgan.

First Minister Eluned Morgan urged people to take the weather warnings seriously.

“Red means there is a potential danger to life,” she said, advising people to only travel if it was “necessary”.

People have been warned to stay alert for flying debris and falling trees, along with large waves hitting sea fronts, homes and roads.

Power cuts and travel disruption are also possible, the Met Office added.

The RNLI advised those living near or visiting the Welsh coast to exercise “extreme caution”.

Natural Resources Wales said the amount of rain expected would be less than the amount that fell during Storm Bert, which wrought havoc across Wales last month.