In pictures: Storm Fergus causes destruction across Ireland with gusts of up to 100km/h

Sun, 10 Dec, 2023 - 19:54

Mairead Sheehy

Strong winds caused by Storm Fergus has left a trail of destruction in parts of the country, with gusts of up to 100km/h in pockets of the island.

Met Éireann warned of localised coastal flooding and wave overtopping in the affected areas, with thunderstorm and wind warnings affecting up to 20 counties throughout parts of today.

The forecaster issued a status yellow wind warning for Kerry, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, Galway and Mayo from 1pm on Sunday until 9pm.

Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow have also been placed under a status yellow wind warning. It came into effect at 5pm on Sunday and remain in place until 11pm on Sunday.

For both status yellow warnings, Met Éireann has said Storm Fergus "will generate very strong and gusty southwesterly winds, veering westerly".

Here, the Irish Examiner has compiled a selection of photos and videos from the worst affected areas across the country.

Leitrim village

Storm Fergus has seen severe winds sweep across Co Leitrim with some locals saying a "tornado" hit the village.

The freak weather event has caused damage to property and cars with residents saying squally winds resembling a tornado hit the area.

A pub and shop in Leitrim village have been badly damaged, while the roof of another building was blown off.

In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, Leitrim County Council said the village will remain closed overnight "for safety precautions".

Diversions are in place at Battlebridge Fingerboard & Drumgorman Lake.

"No persons have been seriously injured" as a result of the tornado, the statement read.

Cars, homes and businesses have been damaged in Leitrim village. Picture: Willie Donnellan

Damage to roofs on left and right. Damage to street lighting and cars. Emergency services deal with the aftermath.

Fenit Beach and Pier, Co Kerry

Access to the village is blocked on all approach roads with diversions in place.

Parts of Kerry experienced a mix of localised flooding and wave overtopping as Storm Fergus made it's way southeast.

The county, along with Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, Galway and Mayo, was placed under a status yellow wind warning from 1pm until 9pm on Sunday.

Waves crash over Fenit Pier in Fenit Co Kerry on Sunday .

A Status Yellow wind warning has been issued for Kerry for today. Swimmers take to the waters on Fenit Beach in Co Kerry on Sunday .

Salthill, Co Galway

Those in Galway experienced plenty of flooding as Storm Fergus generated "gusty" winds along the coastline.

Videos posted on social media showed parts of Salthill experiencing heavy flooding as a result of serious wave overtopping by the coast.

#StormFergus battering Blackrock in Salthill Galway today 💨🌊

🎥@galwaytourism pic.twitter.com/Sg6MuSluyo
— 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 (@galwaytourism) December 10, 2023

The county was under a status orange wind warning, from 3pm until 8pm on Sunday evening, with winds expected to reach a grand strength of between 80 to 85 km/hr.