Storm Gerrit live updates as winds hit 85mph and people say 'sounded like end of the world'

Storm Gerrit has wreaked havoc across Wales with two flood warnings and 41 flood alerts in place across Wales, main roads closed with trees down and speed restrictions on the M4 because of high winds on Thursday morning. Winds of 85mph were recorded in Wales and the blustery weather is set to continue.

The Met Office said that parts of the UK were hit by a "supercell thunderstorm" that had a "strong rotating" updraft that could have caused tornadoes. There was thunder with frequent lightning in parts of the country, which some people described as the "loudest" they had ever heard, while another person posted on social media that it "sounded like the end of the world, and the power went out temporarily."

Did you experience the storm? Please send any video and pictures to cathy.owen@walesonline.co.uk or DM WalesOnline on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram or X.

The Cardiff Harbour Authority closed the Mermaid Quay Board Walk on Wednesday night in the interests of public safety because of "high river levels discharging into the area causing overtopping".

On Thursday morning (December 28), the M48 Severn Crossing remains closed and one lane of the Prince of Wales bridge is closed westbound to allow for emergency barrier repairs after a crash on Wednesday. There are also speed restriction due to strong winds on M4 in both directions from junction 37 Pyle/Porthcawl to junction 38 at Margam.

Fallen trees have also closed the A469 Caerphilly mountain road at Thornhill in Cardiff in both directions and the A484 at Cenarth in Ceredigion.

The two flood warnings issued by Natural Resources Wales are on the River Usk from Brecon to Glangrwyne and on the River Towy between Llandeilo and Abergwili.

The blustery and wet weather is set to continue