Storm Darragh: What's happened so far as fresh weather warning issued

A yellow warning has remained with residents of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire and the Black Country being warned of high winds and flooding across the region.

On Saturday, the Met Office issued a yellow wind warning for the West Midlands but assured that on Sunday the storm is expected to move away, though still leaving behind some strong winds which will slowly ease throughout the day. 

The forecast predicts some showers on Sunday but also a chance of bright spells too, with temperatures reaching eight degrees. 

Two people have died as a result of the storm, as winds reached up to 93mph in some areas.

West Midlands Police were called to Silver Birch Road, Erdington just after 3pm on Saturday, following reports that a tree had fallen and hit a car, killing one man. 

The road was closed with drivers told to avoid the area. 

Earlier on Saturday, another man died after a tree fell onto his van in Lancashire. The man, in his 40s, was driving his Citroen vehicle on the A59 at Longton, near Preston, at about 9am.

In the Black Country and South Staffordshire, a flood alert for River Stour and Smestow Brook was posted on the Government website on Saturday. 

This morning, an updated flood warning was issued for the River Worfe. 

It said: "River levels remain high but are falling at the Cosford and Burlington Worfe River gauges following heavy rainfall. Consequently, flooding of roads and farmland is expected today. We expect flooding to affect low lying land and Roads adjacent to the River from Crackley Bank to Bridgnorth. Other locations that may be affected include Ryton and Burcote.

"Further showers are forecast over the next 48 hours. We expect river levels to remain high for the next few days."

However, it also advises that the risk of flooding in Staffordshire is low today, tomorrow and Tuesday. 

In Dudley, All Saint's church on Ladies Walk in Sedgley had a lucky escape when a large tree fell towards the building and windows but narrowly avoided damaging them.

In Upper Zoar Street in Wolverhampton, a wall came crashing down on top of a car and crushed it. A comment on social media suggests there was a family inside, with two young children and two dogs, but thankfully everyone managed to get out safely. 

Yet more trees fell in Codsall after being blown down by the gale force winds. Below, Station Road in Codsall is seen completely blocked by trees which fell at around 3.30pm in the afternoon on Saturday. The photos were taken at the stretch between the village and Fairfield Drive. 

Transport

On Sunday morning, a tree fell on the rail line at Codsall, cancelling all trains between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury. It has since been removed and the line has reopened. 

Services have also been cancelled between Wolverhampton and Stafford due to a tree being caught in the overhead wires between the two stations, stopping all lines. 

Avanti services are currently unable to call at Birmingham International, Birmingham New Street, Sandwell and Dudley and Wolverhampton due to a tree falling on the overhead electric wires between Sandwell and Dudley and Wolverhampton.

Another rail line between Kidderminster and Worcester was also blocked by a fallen tree with all trains cancelled in both directions. 

The Cross City line between Redditch/Bromsgrove and Lichfield will also remain closed today after fallen trees damaged the overhead power lines at Blackwell, Longbridge and Gravelly Hill. 

Also this morning, flooding has closed the A449 southbound in Staffordshire between the A5 Gailey and the M54 J2, with contractors working to clear the water. 

Events and outdoor markets set to take place this weekend have also been cancelled, including Kidderminster Street Market and Bilston Market and car boot.