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Gusts up to 80mph battered west and north west Wales
Some 80,000 homes are without power as winds of over 100 mph batter the coast forcing the closure of roads, rail lines and schools.

Wales has been offered military help following Wednesday's storms.

Secretary of State David Jones spoke to First Minister Carwyn Jones after the UK government's emergency Cobra meeting and offered the Army's help.

A red "take action" weather warning was issued by the Met Office as exceptionally strong winds hit.

The west and north west coast have been worst hit, and a gust of 108 mph has been recorded at Aberdaron, according to the Met Office.

Scottish Power says 45,000 homes are without power in mid and north Wales, while Western Distribution has 35,000 homes affected in south and west Wales.

Phil Davies, network services manager for Western Power Distribution, said: "We've got staff out there. We were prepared for it.

"We came in first thing this morning, and stopped all planned work, but it's difficult, some of our guys can't get out of their vehicles let alone get up a pole to fix it.

"But we're bringing in guys from other areas. We'll be out all night and first thing in the morning, trying to get people back on, but it is difficult."

A Wales Office spokesman said talks between the Welsh secretary and first minister have taken place over the weather situation.

He added: "He told the first minister that, if required, he just needs to ask for military assistance.

"Obviously the kind of assistance will depend on what was needed.

"However, the secretary of state, having attended Cobra this morning, said he would work with cabinet colleagues to make resources available."

In Cardiff, a man was left injured on Westgate Street after he was apparently struck by a street sign blown over in the wind.

And Rhydhelig Avenue, one of the main routes used to get to the University of Wales Hospital - including by ambulances - was blocked by a fallen tree.

North Wales Police, Dyfed-Powys Police and Mid and West Wales fire service all urged people to stay indoors during the high winds with conditions described as "treacherous".

Part of Mold Road in Wrexham has been closed until Thursday morning after damage to part of the roof of the Racecourse football ground. This is expected to cause traffic problems.

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A caravan was blown over by the strong winds in Aberystwyth
In Ceredigion, Aberystwyth University advised staff and students to leave the campus as soon as they could while most bus services in the county are suspended.

All rail services west of Llanelli have been suspended, as have services between Bangor and Holyhead.

But the weather warning is expected to be downgraded to a yellow "be aware" warning on Thursday.

BBC Wales weather presenter Behnaz Akhgar said: "It will be much quieter on Thursday, with a risk of icy patches first thing. It will still be breezy but much lighter winds compared with today. There will be some sunny spells with heavy showers which could have a wintry element.

"Then all eyes will be on the next area of low pressure which will bring more wind and rain with it through Friday. There will be very unwelcome rain with further risk of flooding. But the rain will clear north-eastwards on Saturday leaving a mostly dry day on Sunday."

Ceredigion, Gwynedd, Anglesey, Pembrokeshire, Conwy, Powys areas have all been badly affected.

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Sand is blown across Mumbles Road and beyond during strong winds in Swansea