CREWS have been working around the clock to clear roads of hundreds of trees and more than 20 power cables after Storm Darragh swept across Somerset.

Somerset Council highways crews have been working to get the county moving again in the aftermath of the 89mph winds which struck Exmoor.

The Met Office issued a rare ‘red’ weather warning - the highest level of alert with a danger to life - for parts of West Somerset, North Somerset, the Bristol Channel, and south and West Wales.

Teams from the council’s contractor, Kier, were out in winds of nearly 90 mph during the warning period after a second storm hit the region in as many weeks. Amber and yellow warnings remained in place across the weekend with more strong winds being felt on Sunday (Sunday, December 8).

Crews responded to nearly 700 reports of incidents on the road and more than 400 fallen trees during and after the storm. Power cables also fell across many roads and by Saturday afternoon more than 13,000 households in Somerset were without power.

Throughout Saturday, Sunday and Monday, six chainsaw gangs were busy removing hundreds of trees which had been blown across roads while Somerset Council’s Adult Social Care team has been liaising with power companies to identify vulnerable residents and ensure power is returned as soon as possible

Other key roads affected by fallen trees include the A378 at Fivehead, Taunton, Station Road, in Shapwick were four trees were brought down, the A37 Kilver Street, Shepton Mallet, which was affected by fallen trees and power lines, and the A357 which remained partially closed on Monday. The B3223 Exford to Simonsbath road was also impacted.

In Bridgwater, part of the roof on a block of flats at Westfield Close was damaged, causing debris to block Albert Street. A team from Homes in Sedgemoor which manages the building has been supporting residents.

Meanwhile, people in coastal areas were warned to stay away from the sea front as large waves battered the shoreline and sand was blown in great drifts on to Warren Road in Minehead. At the height of the storm, a red flood warning was also in place for Porlock with residents being urged to activate emergency flood plans if they have them.

Somerset Council’s lead member for transport and waste, Councillor Richard Wilkins, said: “We’re incredibly grateful for the efforts of our contractor Kier in working round the clock to keep the County moving – these were really challenging conditions, a Red Weather warning is the most extreme alert.

“We know Council and partner agency teams have been working hard to support our more vulnerable residents who have been without power or who have suffered damage to their homes.

“Thankfully many appear to have heeded the warnings and stayed at home during the height of the storm and we also saw communities coming together to help the most vulnerable and affected.

“There may well be smaller roads across the county which are which are still blocked by fallen trees – please travel carefully, especially after dark and bear with us, the service is working extremely hard to get these cleared.”