Storm Agnes tears roof off building in Youghal's front strand
Roof of a building which blew off in the storm along the Front Strand in Youghal. Picture: Howard Crowdy
Storm Agnes left its mark in Cork as two buildings saw their roofs damaged by strong winds and rain.
Incidents in Cork harbour and Youghal saw emergency teams dispatched to deal with structures.
In Youghal, the storm wreaked havoc when it tore the zinc roof covering from a building on the town's Front Strand.
The structure collapsed onto adjacent electricity wires.
The roof was part of a bar and reception area owned by Youghal businessman Kirby Kearns and which formed an annex station to a former station master’s house which Mr Kearns converted to living quarters five years ago.
Proprietor of the local Clancy’s bar, Pádraig Hennessy said the damage occurred with “a major surge of wind” shortly before noon. Youghal fire brigade and gardaí quickly secured the scene.
The property is understood to have been unoccupied at the time and there were no injuries. Power was suspended as workers removed the roof.
The hazardous conditions are also making travel conditions very difficult for commuters as a number of roads have seen spot flooding around Cork this morning, including Killumney village, Monahan Road, Rathcooney and Carrigaline.
#CorkFloods Flooding in Killumney village this morning. #StormAgnes pic.twitter.com/C7fjViGlyB
— Cork Safety Alerts (@CorkSafetyAlert) September 27, 2023
In Blarney, the R579 is currently closed as the river has burst its banks.
Cork City Council have asked motorists to drive with caution as "conditions are hazardous."
A spokesperson explained: "Two Fire Service appliances from Youghal are in attendance with the local road temporarily closed. In the interests of Health and Safety, Cork County Council is asking members of the public to avoid the area at this time"
⚠️The R579 in Blarney is currently closed as the river has burst its banks.
— Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) September 27, 2023
🚗Cork City Council asks motorists to drive with caution today as conditions are hazardous. Our crews are working to clear debris and address surface flooding. pic.twitter.com/XvwYEQv6Jm
The strong winds and severe gusts also damaged the roof of an environmental research building in Cork Harbour.
Researcher at UCC’s Beaufort lab in Ringaskiddy were advised to remain inside the building for several hours during the peak of the storm after a number of panels in the eaves of the building were dislodged.
The building hosts the MarEI Research Centre and the LIF Ocean Test Facility and is a base for around 150 marine, maritime and sustainable energy researchers.
It is named after Irish hydrographer Francis Beaufort - the creator of the now-famous Beaufort Scale in 1806 for indicating wind force.
A spokesman for UCC said measures were put in place to ensure staff safety when the damage occurred and he said they are monitoring the situation closely.
“Some flashing panels at the eaves of the Beaufort Building roof become loose due to the high winds,” he said.
“UCC is monitoring the situation and will have contractors on site as soon as it is safe to do so.
“Safety measures for staff are in place."
In Wexford, a high-sided vehicle flipped over to its side following sudden gusts near Ferns today.
According to a post from Carlow Weather, the driver was thankfully okay.
Trampolines around the country were also being blown out of gardens, while many cars were left stranded due to high tides near the coast.
There were multiple issues with Irish Rail, particularly in Dublin.
Update: Northbound Dart services from Connolly station are suspended until further notice. Update to follow. -AB https://t.co/lV9PWLxpcV
— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) September 27, 2023
Meanwhile, ESB crews are currently working to restore power to over 13,300 properties across Munster.
In Cork, over 8,500 businesses and homes across Cork including Ringaskiddy, Rathmore, Mallow, have been left without power.
In Tipperary, nearly 3,200 customers are without electricity as well while in Kerry, over 800 properties have been affected.
Power is expected to be restored in the early evening for the affected areas.
Meanwhile, Doneraile Wildlife Park and Fota Wildlife Park have closed as a result of Storm Agnes.
In Mayo, the Irish Coast Guard is currently coordinating a tow for a large sailing vessel off the West Coast.
Lifeboats from Achill Island and Clifden have been tasked to help bring the vessel ashore in difficult sea conditions during Storm Agnes.
Our team at Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centre Malin Head is currently coordinating a tow for a large sailing vessel off the West Coast, with Achill Island and Clifden RNLI All weather Lifeboats assisting the vessel ashore in difficult sea conditions. #StormAgnes pic.twitter.com/Z6ZiJR75dZ
— Irish Coast Guard (@IrishCoastGuard) September 27, 2023
A status orange wind warning, which had due to expire at 5pm, was extended by Met Éireann until 7pm.
It was in place for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry, Tipperary and Waterford.
It has now ended.
In an update on Wednesday, , Met Éireann said Sherkin Island has so far recorded a mean speed of 69km/h and gusts of 111km/h.
These strong winds could lead to coastal flooding, difficult travel conditions, fallen trees and power outages.
A Status Yellow rain warning will remain in effect until midnight for Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Carlow, Dublin, Kilkenny, Wexford and Wicklow.
Met Éireann warns driving conditions during this time will be difficult due to localised flooding and poor visibility on the roads.
The weather warning is in place from 7am until midnight.
Meanwhile, a Status Yellow wind warning has been issued for all counties in Munster, and Leinster and will also include Galway between 7am and midnight tonight.
In the North, a Status Yellow wind warning has been issued by the UK Met Office for the six counties until 7am on Thursday morning.
A level two storm forecast has been issued across Ireland for severe wind gusts and tornadoes by the European Storm Forecast Experiment.
Up to 35mm of rain is expected in Cork across a 24-hour period as Met Éireann says rainfall will continue in the county after the Status Orange warning period expires.
The latest Storm Agnes weather models show the peak of the storm moving through Cork area quicker than in the forecast, which means it won't coincide with high tide at rush-hour this evening, reducing the risk of flooding on low-lying quays.
In a lunchtime update, Cork City Council confirmed that the road closures and lane restrictions announced yesterday will no longer be required as it is not "predicting any tidal flooding at 5pm this evening."
However, rainfall and strong winds are expected to continue and motorists are being urged to drive with care and to slow down as driving conditions may be poor, with strong winds blowing debris around, heavy rain affecting visibility and risk of spot flooding on roads.
"This morning, a number of trees flew across the city due to the strong winds and there were a number of minor localised flooding issues," the statement read.
"Cork City Council Roads, Drainage and Parks crews have been onsite all morning addressing these issues, clearing debris, fallen trees and branches from roads and to address surface flooding issue.
"Cork City Council would like to remind communities and businesses that the two Orange Weather Warnings remain in place until later this afternoon and that they need to continue to take due care and attention of this significant weather event," it added.
The Council is also urging members of the public to secure all bins, trampolines and garden furniture.
Four scheduled flights at Cork Airport have been cancelled due to "inclement weather conditions".
These include:
- Aer Lingus - Cork to London
- Aer Lingus - London to Cork
- KLM - Amsterdam Schiphol to Cork
- KLM - Cork to Amsterdam Schiphol
Passengers intending to travel today are being advised to check the current status of their flight with their airline before travelling to the airport.
Passengers intending to travel today are advised to exercise due caution when travelling to and from @CorkAirport.
— Cork Airport (@CorkAirport) September 27, 2023
Please allow sufficient time for your journey.#StormAgnes https://t.co/HavZsUjgE2
A Daa spokesperson said both "Dublin Airport and Cork Airport are open and operating as normal today".
Check out the Irish Examiner's WEATHER CENTRE for regularly updated short and long range forecasts wherever you are.
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