Overturned lorries, damaged cars and flying debris on a day Storm Eunice battered Wales

  • A lorry overturns on the M4 between Porthcawl and Margam during Storm Eunice

Lorries overturned, cars were crushed and buildings badly damaged on the day Storm Eunice arrived in Wales.

A rare red weather warning - the highest Met Office alert, meaning potential danger to life - was in force on Friday morning due to the combination of high tides, strong winds and storm surge.

An amber warning had been in place until 9pm on Friday (18 February), with Met Office guidelines stating: "There is a good chance that flying debris could result in a danger to life. Damage to buildings and homes is likely, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down."

  • Video of collapsed air dome at Cardiff International Sports Campus

In Cardiff, an inflatable sports dome was destroyed by Storm Eunice.

Footage showed the air dome at the Cardiff International Sports Campus in the Leckwith area of the city collapsed and flapping in the wind.

The air dome, which was opened in 2017, is similar to those in use at Chelsea and Ajax football clubs.

Cardiff City House of Sport, which is affiliated to Cardiff City FC, said: "Unfortunately due to damage sustained by Storm Eunice, the air dome at the Cardiff International Sports Campus is completely out of action for the foreseeable future.

"All bookings were cancelled today, and nobody was in the vicinity of the dome when the damage occurred.

"We will update everyone as we find out news on the repair progress."

  • Video shows aftermath of roof blowing off caravan in Pembrokeshire

In the village of Little Haven, Pembrokeshire, a video filmed by a member of the public showed the aftermath of a roof blowing off a static caravan.

The person behind the camera can be heard saying: "There's a roof just gone - look at that! Oh my God. It's gone."

As debris flies around the caravan site, they continue: "This is unbelievable - I've got to get from here. This is incredible. I need to get out of here - it's dangerous."

Police were called to the scene in Christchurch Road, Newport.

In Newport, houses and vehicles were damaged after three roofs were blown off due to strong winds.

Police were called to the scene in Christchurch Road. As well as the houses, damage was also caused to two cars, but no injuries were reported.

Images have also emerged of damage to the roof of Bishop Hedley Catholic High School in Merthyr Tydfil, as schools across Wales closed on Friday due to the storm.

Cllr Andrew Morgan - leader of neighbouring Rhondda Cynon Taf council - tweeted the images from his own account.

He wrote: "When people criticise councils for closing schools in a red/amber warning with winds 70 to 80mph, I’d point out this is a school in a neighbouring county today!

"They are only closed to keep people safe."

An overturned lorry on the M4 Westbound near Pyle. Credit: Traffic Wales

Traffic Wales motorway cameras captured an overturned lorry on the M4 Westbound between the Margam and Porthcawl junctions.

A Twitter post from the official Traffic Wales account at the time said: "Lane 1 and 2 currently blocked due to overturned HGV. Traffic officers en route. Please proceed with care."

Another lorry toppled over shortly afterwards and both carriageways of the motorway were closed down by the emergency services.

Two lorries were blown on their sides on the M4 near Margam. Credit: PA Images
A close-up of one of the two lorries blown over on the M4 near Margam. Credit: PA Images

In Pembrokeshire, one animal sanctuary said Storm Eunice has caused "devastation and destruction" - despite the preparations made to keep animals and staff safe.

Greenacres Rescue in Little Haven posted on Facebook to say: "At 10am, the wind reached speeds that ripped through the centre like a chainsaw.

"Our static caravan, which is our main office, was completely torn apart. The roof peeled off and became extremely hazardous.

"The stable roof just disappeared, lifting and flying off. Rabbit housing and our goose house blew around the centre like they were dolls' houses. We have never seen anything like it."

This static caravan at Greenacres Rescue, which is its main office, was completely torn apart by strong winds. Credit: Greenacres Rescue

Greenacres, which rescues dogs, cats and other small animals, continued: "It's miraculous someone wasn’t seriously hurt.

"We have contacted our insurance company and are awaiting a response as to whether this nature damage is covered, but we have tens of thousands of pounds' worth of damage and weeks/months of inconvenience. A serious setback for us.

"We must be thankful that no person or animal was hurt and this is all replaceable.

"Today has been simply horrendous and very stressful. We really hope the worst is behind us."

Staff at Greenacres said animal enclosures 'blew around the centre like they were dolls' houses'. Credit: Greenacres Rescue

Meanwhile, another animal sanctuary left with damage totalling 'thousands of pounds' from Storm Dudley says it has suffered another blow from Storm Eunice.

Woodfield Animal Sanctuary on Gower, which is home to hundreds of rescued sheep, ponies and horses, had a lucky escape on Wednesday night when a 60-year-old oak tree blew over.

No animals were hurt in that incident - though the giant tree narrowly missed a sheep pen - but the removal bill is expected to run into thousands of pounds.

Staff then tweeted again on Friday to say: "Storm Eunice has sadly inflicted more damage at Woodfield. Huge tree blown down, some sheep sheds blown down, damage to stable roofs. Stressed horses."

Both Greenacres and Woodfield sanctuaries are now appealing for donations to help with repairs.

Woodfield Animal Sanctuary has been hit twice - first by Storm Dudley and now by Storm Eunice. Credit: ITV News

South Wales Police in Swansea tweeted several photographs of cars that had sustained damage from a fallen tree.

They wrote: "Glanmor Park Road is shut for the time being due to an unfortunate accident. Please do not travel unless absolutely necessary. Swansea Council are on the way to re-open the road."

A car is crushed under the weight of a fallen tree at Glanmor Park Road. Credit: South Wales Police Swansea

In Barry, our camera operator filmed these shots of a damaged road sign, and a fallen tree and debris being cleared from a road.

Early into the storm, Twitter user Mark Sainsbury posted images of another fallen tree blocking Brynfield Road in Langland, Swansea.

He said: "Tree down - storm really picking up now".

A fallen tree blocks the road at Langland, Swansea. Credit: Mark Sainsbury

Soon afterwards, Anglesey Council tweeted another photograph of a fallen tree, writing: "We have put up flood defences at Trearddur Bay and Bull Bay as Storm Eunice is likely to cause significant disturbance around the coast.

"We'd also urge people not to venture near the coast or wooded areas, like the Dingle in Llangefni."

Sheds and outbuildings also took a hit in the storm - this one in Birchgrove, Swansea, could not withstand the strong winds.

Reports of damage to buildings and outbuildings are emerging, including this shed in Birchgrove.

Twitter user John Williams also shared an image of what appears to be an upturned wooden outbuilding blown against a tree.

He wrote: "Storm Eunice certainly left its mark here in Pembrokeshire - keep safe guys."