Extreme winds from Storm Darragh have ripped the roof off a chapel while causing power cuts to about 100,000 properties across the country.

A red Met Office weather warning – the highest level – was in effect between 03:00 GMT and 11:00 in 13 counties with dangerous and perhaps life-threatening conditions predicted, but no serious injuries have yet been reported.

It caused widespread damage and travel disruption, including the closure of the runway at Cardiff Airport all morning.

Strong gusts hammered the coasts and hills with the Met Office recording winds of 94mph (150 km/h) at Capel Curig in Conwy county at 08:00.

A major incident has been declared by Dyfed-Powys Police across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and Powys.

Supt Chris Neve said there were “robust plans” to deal with the situation.

The small farming village of Mochdre, near Newtown, Powys, was “completely devastated” to find the roof of Pentre Baptist Church gone.

Farmer and meat seller Jonathan Rees, 47, said, “the roof is scattered in piles from one end of the graveyard to the other”.

He said people in the village tried to save the organ and pulpit, but the scene was “too dangerous and the wind was still really strong”.

In Porthcawl, Bridgend county, one block of flats at The Links apartment complex in Rest Bay had part of its roof completely ripped off.

The National Grid said there were over 62,000 properties without power in mid and south Wales.

Scottish Power said there were 40,000 homes in its area, mainly across north and mid Wales, also without power.

Natural Resources Wales said there were 26 flood warnings – the second highest alert – in effect. It added there were 69 flood alerts in place as well.

Some roads are closed and train routes have been disrupted across the country, with all ferry sailings to Ireland cancelled.

In south Wales, multiple sections of the M4 are closed and Transport for Wales has asked rail passengers to check before travelling, with numerous services not running.

High winds also closed the Prince of Wales Bridge and M48 Severn Bridge in Monmouthshire, meaning a lengthy diversion for anyone wanting to cross into Wales from south-west England.

Great Western Railway said all trains between Carmarthen and Bristol were cancelled.

The red wind warning covered Bridgend, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Gwynedd, Anglesey, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Swansea and Vale of Glamorgan.

Cardiff City’s home Championship fixture against Watford on Saturday has been postponed, as has Newport County’s against visitors Carlisle United in League Two.

Meanwhile, the Ospreys’ match against Emirates Lions on Sunday has been moved to Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli after the Swansea.com Stadium was left structurally damaged.

In Rhondda Cynon Taf, a county hit by damaging flooding during Storm Bert, the council said at least 40 trees had come down, leaving debris on many roads.

Marc Morris was out in the stormy weather to help older people in Llangunnor, Carmarthenshire.

“I’ve been making sure the elderly neighbours are safe,” he said, speaking near a fallen tree on Heol Penymorfa.

“I keep an eye on a 94-year-old lady who lives nearby who doesn’t have water or power,” Mr Morris added.

“So I’ve just popped down to the shops to get a torch and some things, as we don’t expect to get the electricity back in the area until about seven tonight.”

About three million people in Wales and south-west England received an alert on their mobile phone on Friday evening, warning them of incoming weather.

Mobile phones made a loud siren-like sound even if set to silent. The sound and vibration lasted about 10 seconds.

It was the largest use of the warning system outside a test scenario – the last test being in April 2023.

An amber warning for rain has been in force since 03:00 and will remain until 18:00 on Saturday.

Up to 3.5in (90mm) could fall across 14 counties in south and mid Wales.

There is also an amber warning for wind covering Wales until 21:00 and a yellow rain warning until noon.

The storm is expected to ease into Sunday, but a yellow wind warning for all of Wales is in effect from 06:00 to 1800 when the Met Office said gusts on hills and coastal areas could reach 50mph (80 km/h).

The last red warning in Wales came during Storm Eunice in 2022, which left tens of thousands without power.

First Minister Eluned Morgan urged people to take the weather warnings seriously.

“Red means there is a potential danger to life,” she said, advising people to only travel if it was “necessary”.

People have been warned to stay alert for flying debris and falling trees, along with large waves hitting sea fronts, homes and roads.

Power cuts and travel disruption are also possible, the Met Office added.

The RNLI advised those living near or visiting the Welsh coast to exercise “extreme caution”.

Natural Resources Wales said the amount of rain expected would be less than the amount that fell during Storm Bert, which wrought havoc across Wales last month.