21,000 still without power as UK recovers from Storm Amy

THOUSANDS of homes remained without power yesterday after Storm Amy slowly pulled away after battering the country with gale-force winds and heavy rain.

- STEVE BAGNALL, ROBERT HARRIES and LUCINDA CAMERON

It comes after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind covering the whole of the UK on Saturday.

Weather warnings were also in place across much of the country on Friday when the storm first hit.

The Met Office said wind gusts reached 86mph in Capel Curig and 96mph across northern Scotland on Saturday, where Cassley saw 84.6mm of rain fall in 24 hours.

The storm caused transport disruption with ferries cancelled, flights affected and roads and railway lines blocked by fallen trees.

Llanelli-based Scarlets had to postpone their match against Connacht as a result of travel disruption caused by Amy, and Cardiff RFC's Super Rygbi Cymru clash against Ebbw Vale was postponed after Storm Amy destroyed a set of posts at the Arms Park.

Also in south Wales, there were long queues on the M4 after a section of the motorway, Kenfig Viaduct from Junction 38 Margam to Junction 37 Pyle, was closed due to the winds.

Other roads closed due to strong winds included:

M48 Severn Bridge;