Storm Eunice makes bilingual road sign Welsh language only

Storm Eunice has turned a bilingual road sign into a Welsh language only one.

Strong winds from the storm have ripped a panel that says Carmarthen off the sign, which is located just before westbound junction 48 on the M4.

However, the powerful gusts have so far left the Welsh language place name, Caerfyrddin, untouched. The sign also still features the Welsh language place names of Llandeilo, Pontarddulais, and Llanelli, which do not have English equivalents.

A photo of the sign taken by Welsh Government motorway and trunk road agency, Traffic South Wales, was spotted by Sioned Wyn, who posted it on Twitter with the caption: “Eunice doesn’t need dual language signs.”

Sdim angen arwyddion dwyieithog ar #Eunice 📷 @TrafficWalesS pic.twitter.com/xkUdzO191E

— Sioned Wyn 💛 (@sioden) February 18, 2022

Elin Roberts replied: “Storm Eunice is strongly pro-Welsh language.”

Steven John Harry said: “Ironically, it’s the English translation that’s dangerous.”

A red weather warning from the Met Office has been in place in Wales from 7am until midday with gusts of up to 90mph. People have been warned not to travel unless it’s absolutely necessary. All of Wales is covered by an amber warning until 9pm.

More than 1,800 homes have lost power in Wales. The power cuts have affected 995 homes near St Clears, Carmarthenshire, 312 near Lampeter, Ceredigion, and 279 in Llanelli.

Schools across most of Wales are closed, with all but three counties ordering schools closed and others advising it.

The storm is expected to continue to increase in intensity throughout the morning before calming in the afternoon.

The M48 Severn Bridge and the M4 Prince Of Wales Bridge, which connect Wales to England across the river Severn, have been closed both directions for safety reasons.

All train services in Wales are suspended and there are warnings of falling trees blocking roads in the north and the south of the country. Britannia Bridge on the A55 between Anglesey and the mainland was also closed due to high winds.

According to the Met Office, the Red weather warning means that there is:

• Flying debris resulting in danger to life
• Damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down
• Uprooted trees are likely
• Roads, bridges and railway lines closed, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights
• Power cuts affecting other services, such as mobile phone coverage
• Large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and homes, including flooding of some coastal properties

“Extremely strong west to southwesterly winds will develop over southwest England and south Wales early on Friday,” the Met Office said.

“Widespread inland gusts of 70-80 mph are likely and up to around 90 mph near some coasts, with dangerous conditions on beaches and seafronts. Winds are expected to ease from the west during the late morning.”