Huge explosion heard and power cuts reported as lightning strikes town

Lightning has been reported in Flintshire, Wales (Image: Getty Images)Power cuts are being reported after a huge explosion was heard as lightning struck in a town.People living in the Connah’s Quay area in Flintshire, North Wales, reported seeing a bright flash of light and heard a huge bang at around 1pm today.Many have reported power cuts, with TV signals and internet connection also reportedly affected, reports North Wales Live.There were also unconfirmed reports an Airbus Beluga plane was struck by lightning as it took off from Hawarden Airport.The flight has continued as normal towards Hamburg. No weather warning is in place for the area, however, the Met Office is forecasting bands of showers in the region.The forecast for the area today says: “A changeable start to November with bands of showers, heavy at times, moving from west to east across Wales with sunny intervals in between. Breezy around the coasts. Feeling cooler compared to recent days. Maximum temperature 15 °C.”Looking ahead into this evening, the Met Office forecasts: “Showers or longer spells of rain continue to affect Wales well into the evening, but it should drier by midnight with mostly clear spells developing. Minimum temperature 7 °C.”We will be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story. Get email updates on the day’s biggest stories straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters.Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by following Express every time you see our name.Follow Express on Google News, Apple News and Flipboard.You can also sign up for Twitter alerts for breaking news and follow us on the social media site, for all the latest updates.