Powys has come to a standstill as Storm Emma has blasted Wales with dangerous strong winds and heavy snow.
This morning the Met Office issued a red warning – the most severe warning – for wind and snow across south east Wales stretching to Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Cardiff and Rhondda Cynon Taf.
The severe weather warning, which means that the weather is a risk to life, has been in affect from 3pm this afternoon and last until the early hours of tomorrow morning.
People throughout the areas affected by the red warning and the amber warning – a medium risk of snow and wind – are being told to only travel if absolutely necessary.
Breconshire Police tweeted this morning warning drivers not to go on the roads unless absolutely necessary.
Along with a picture of an overturned car, they tweeted: “8057 - Hazardous driving conditions Pengenffordd do not drive unless vital”
While Breconshire Police have been approached for more information about the incident, they have not yet responded.
Various events have been cancelled or postponed throughout Powys including the Brecon & Radnor Express’ own sport awards, the Powys sport awards, the Archbishop’s St David’s Day service and the St David’s Day Parade in Brecon.
Powys Health Board said Cwm Taf Health Board and others in Wales have been forced to cancel some clinics this afternoon which may affect patients from Powys due to attend. Public Health Wales, a part of NHS Wales, tweeted out a self-care video for people to use during the freezing weather which can be seen on their Twitter feed.
They have advised everybody to eat hot food and drink hot fluids throughout the day, wear warm clothes and appropriate footwear, and to check on friends and family - especially the elderly.
Brecon Mountain Rescue (BMR) put out a warning last night on Twitter warning night time adventurers of the treacherous conditions in the Beacons including wind chill temperatures as low as -30 degrees celsius.
While the group have not received any callouts they have been assisting the ambulance service.
The BMR deputy team leader Mark Jones said: “It’s not too busy at the moment but we do have crews out in 4x4 vehicles assisting the ambulance service with patient transport – things like taking patients with renal problems to their dialysis unit and appointments like that.”
Powys County Council has suspended its waste collection services during the bad weather.
Recycle for Powys, the County Council’s waste and recycling department’s twitter feed, tweeted: “Waste and recycling collections suspended
“Waste and recycling collections across Powys will be suspended today (Thursday, March 1) and tomorrow because of the adverse weather conditions.
“The council will catch up on the collection rounds as soon as weather conditions improve.”
To receive updates on services affected by adverse weather like Storm Emma, subscribe to Dyfed-Powys Police’s Adverse Weather Twitter feed.