More than 170,000 without power as Storm Isha sweeps across Ireland
A clock tower falls to the ground in Eyre Square, Galway, during Storm Isha. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire
- Red warning in effect for Donegal, Galway and Mayo
- An orange alert is in place for the entire country
- Thousands without power across the country
- More than 100 flights cancelled in and out of Dublin Airport
- Motorists urged to take care and watch for fallen debris
Thousands of homes were left without power and airport activity was disrupted on Sunday as Storm Isha swept “destructive” winds across the island of Ireland.
The ESB said that as of 9pm, more than 170,000 homes, farms and businesses were without power, with the expectation of further power outages overnight.
The counties worst impacted by outages include Mayo, Galway, Roscommon and Kerry.
People were urged to heed wind warnings and told not to make unnecessary journeys as the most severe wind warnings kicked in on Sunday evening.
#CorkTraffic Reports a shed (not even sure how to report this... has broke loose?) at Begley's Forge, Ovens. #StormIsha pic.twitter.com/U6bMqZjbdz
— Cork Safety Alerts (@CorkSafetyAlert) January 21, 2024
In Co Mayo, gardaí are investigating whether gale-force winds caused a road crash in the south of the county which left a motorist dead on Sunday evening.
The victim was the driver of a car which veered off the N17 between Claremorris and Ballindine around 6.30 pm.
A status red warning is now in effect for Donegal and will remain in place until 1am on Monday.
An orange alert for the rest of the country is also now in effect and will remain in place until 2am.
Storm Isha's "severe and destructive gusts" are expected to batter the country with strong winds of up to 130kmph.
As the status red warning came into effect at 5pm, the metal clocktower on top of the Thirteen on the Green bar at Eyre’s Square in Galway city fell onto the path below.
Paul Rock, who chaired a meeting of the National Emergency Co-ordination on Sunday morning to organise the Irish government’s response, said it is a “particularly nasty” storm.
“We don’t want anyone dying as a result of this storm,” he told RTÉ Radio.
Mr Rock asked people to avoid coastal areas during the Met Éireann warnings and for all road users to be aware of hazardous conditions, including debris, and urged people not to touch fallen electricity wires.
Delays are expected at ports, airports and possibly some public transport systems, he said, advising people to check online to see if services are disrupted.
He expects schools to open as normal on Monday because the warnings expire in the early hours.
A tornado watch has been issued by ‘The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation’ (TORRO), for the entire country throughout Sunday.
The organisation say "there is the risk of a few tornadoes, and the potent shear means a strong tornado is possible, especially across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland".
They have also warned against gusts of up to 100km/hr, followed by hail of up to 20mm in diameter, while the warning is in place.
Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather says that these "are very difficult to forecast and would be localised if they do occur".
The public have been advised to stay indoors while the warning is in place, due to "treacherous driving conditions" and dangerous coastal conditions.
There is also a risk of "significant and widespread power outages", the forecaster advised.
Bus Eireann suspended its town, city and intercity services in Mayo and Galway from 4pm on Sunday.
A number of flights were cancelled or delayed from Ireland's airports as Storm Isha intensified on Sunday afternoon.
Dublin Airport said the storm was posing “a significant challenge” to flights operations, and as of 7pm airlines had cancelled 114 flights – 58 incoming and 56 departing – with 36 flights diverted to other airports.
The Road Safety Authority is advising all road users to be aware of the dangers once the storm has passed as there may be hazardous conditions such as flooded roads and downed pylons, lines, trees and other debris which could block roads.
In Cork, the Cross River Ferry to Cobh has been suspended due to storm activity. Services have been scheduled to resume at 06:15 tomorrow morning.
Heavy rainfall as a result of the storm has caused spot flooding in parts of Cork, with floods reporting in Drinagh Village.
Cork County Council has advised the public to "stay high, stay dry and stay away from the coast, rivers and lakes" while urging those to refrain from visiting coastal or mountainous areas while the warning remains.
Several fallen trees have been reported in parts of Cork, with trees reported on the R595 Baltimore Road, Skibbereen, between Kerry Pike and Clogheen and on the N25 Westbound, at the slip just before the N40/Jack Lynch Tunnel, among others.
Issues such as fallen trees, flooding and road damage can be reported on 021 4800048 (5pm-9am weekends & bank holidays) or 021 4276891 during office hours.
Check out the Irish Examiner's WEATHER CENTRE for regularly updated short and long range forecasts wherever you are.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
