Storm Isha: Ireland under red and orange weather alerts as ‘nasty’ storm causes major disruption

Main points:

• Follow live coverage of the clean-up after Storm Isha in Monday with our live coverage.
• Over 170,000 homes and businesses are without power on Sunday evening
• A status red weather warning for wind is in effect in Co Donegal
• An orange weather warning is in effect for all of Ireland
• Earlier red wind warnings issued for counties Mayo and Galway have since expired
• Dublin Airport says Storm Isha is having an impact on flights
• Local authorities and fire and rescue services across the country are responding to reports of fallen trees

That’s all for our live coverage of Storm Isha this evening. For further updates on the emerging impact of Storm Isha, stay on irishtimes.com. Stay safe, stay warm, and oíche mhaith.

Northern Editor Freya McClements has another update:

The high winds brought by Storm Isha have caused “widespread damage” to the electricity network in Northern Ireland, with approximately 45,000 customers without power as of around 10pm on Sunday, Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) Networks said.

It warned this number could rise as the storm progresses, and said while hundreds of extra staff have been deployed, the extent of the damage and the adverse weather conditions mean many customers could remain without supply overnight.

“Damage includes broken overhead power lines, fallen trees across lines and broken poles,” NIE networks said.

As of 9.30pm, airlines at Dublin Airport have cancelled 148 flights – 75 incoming flights, and 73 scheduled departures. A total of 35 flights were diverted to other airports, with 27 go-arounds.

“While Dublin Airport has remained open and operational all day, Storm Isha posed a significant challenge to both departing and arriving flights on Sunday,” daa’s Graeme McQueen said in a statement on Sunday evening.

“Dublin Airport expects to remain open and operational on Monday, as it did all day on Sunday. Forecasts suggest that wind speeds will remain high overnight and into Monday morning, but wind direction is forecast to switch to a more favourable westerly direction. Passengers scheduled to fly on Monday are advised to check directly with their airline regarding the status of their flight.”

The Irish Coast Guard has warned the public to stay well clear of the coast this evening, posting this update from Dun Laoghaire Habour in south Co Dublin.

Dublin Fire Brigade continue to respond to a high volume of calls on Sunday evening.

In the North, the Foyle Bridge in Co Derry is now closed completely, and there are also reports of trees down on the M1.

Have you been affected by a cancelled flight on Sunday? There’s a chance you are entitled to money back. Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent, has a comprehensive Q&A on the subject here.

A red wind warning is now in effect in Co Donegal. Donegal County Council has urged the public to take extra care and not to travel unless it is “absolutely essential”.

Over 170,000 ESB customers hit by power outages due to Storm Isha

The ESB is working to restore power to over 170,000 customers hit by outages caused by Storm Isha on Sunday evening, with more homes, farms and businesses – particularly in the northwest – expected to be impacted in the coming hours due to high winds.

While the electricity provider is working to restore power where possible, it is expected that many will be without power overnight. The ESB said that counties Mayo, Galway, Roscommon and Kerry were among the worst-affected regions in the country.

“ESB Networks continue to monitor the impact of Storm Isha closely, switching customers back remotely where possible. However, due to the extent damage to the network and adverse weather conditions, the majority of homes, farms and businesses currently impacted will remain without supply overnight,” an ESB spokesperson said on Sunday evening.

“ESB Networks storm response plans have been in effect since earlier today and crews will mobilise again at first light to assess the damage, making the network safe and restoring electricity supply where safe to do so.”

ESB Networks has reminded people to stay clear of fallen eletricity wires, and report any damage directly to the provider.

Our Northern Editor, Freya McClements, writes that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has warned it had begun receiving “numerous reports of fallen trees across the road network this evening.

“Please only travel if your journey is necessary, exercise caution and be prepared for obstructions,” the police said.

As of 7.30pm on Sunday branches and fallen trees had been reported on Enniskillen Road in Ballinamallard, Moynaghan Road in Lisnarick, Drumwhinny Road in Kesh and Old Rossary Road in Enniskillen, all in Co Fermanagh.

Drumhillery Road in Armagh was also closed because of fallen trees.

In Derry, the Foyle Bridge is closed to high-sided vehicles due high winds.

The latest traffic updates are available at trafficwatchni.com/twni/index. At the Northern airports, Belfast International airport reported Storm Isha was “continuing to cause disruption with delays to some flights.

“We have taken several diversions from other airports,” it said, adding that passengers scheduled to depart this evening should check with their airlines.

Aer Lingus and British Airways have cancelled flights to and from George Best Belfast City Airport, while flights have also been cancelled at City of Derry Airport.

Dublin Fire Brigade has been kept busy this evening. There are numerous reports of fallen trees across the city.

Storm Isha has hit Co Meath: fire and rescue services are responding to reports of a fallen tree blocking in Dunshaughlin.

Dublin Airport has another update: the number of cancelled flights has risen to 114, with further disruption and cancellations “very likely”, according to the aiport’s operator, daa.

Anne Lucey has another update from Co Kerry.

Trees have been uprooted in parts of north Kerry and slates have come off buildings in Listowel and Killorglin.

Power is out throughout most of Killarney since shortly after 5pm, with lightning and strong gusts reported in the area.

Trees are down in Muckross, Fossa and in the town centre in Killarney. Minor roads in Beaufort and the Kilcummin area remain blocked. Gardaí and Kerry County Council fire service are appealing to the public to stay indoors.

Storm Isha has caused significant power outages across the country. A spokesperson for ESB said that the number of homes without power is “in the thousands” at present, with further updates expected.

An Garda Síochána has reiterated advice to avoid unnecessary travel, following several reports of fallen trees across the country.

Shannon Airport is operating as normal, but has advised passengers to check with indiviudal airlines for possible disruption to travel.

A street has closed in Killorglin, Co Kerry due to falling slates, reports Anne Lucey.

Diversions are in place for Upper Bridge Street, one of Killorglin town’s main streets. There are a number of power outages across the county also in Farmers’ Bridge, Tralee, Woodford, Killarney as well as areas of Kenmare with Storm Isha arriving in strength some hours before it was expected to hit fully.

An orange wind warning is in place for Kerry.

Strong winds are reported also from the county bounds area near Ballyvourney this afternoon.

Elsewhere, Dublin Fire Brigade has responded to a number of reports of fallen trees on Sunday, most recently on Rathgar Avenue in Dublin 6.

Mayo County Council has reported several cases of fallen trees on Sunday evening.

Dublin Airport has issued an update on flight cancellations in the wake of Sunday’s stormy weather conditions: as of 5pm, a total of 102 flights – 53 incoming and 49 departing – have been cancelled by airlines at the airport.

High winds have results in 24 flights performing go-arounds – an aborted landing of an aircraft – with 27 flight bound for Dublin choosing to divert to other airports.

Graeme McQueen of daa said that strong winds were limiting the number of flights that could take-off at the airport, with conditions “also impacting on some ground handling operations”.

“High winds and periods of heavy rain are forecast to continue at Dublin Airport this evening, making further disruption possible. Passengers are advised to contact their airline directly for updates on the status of specific flights,” he said.

Red warnings come into effect in Galway and Mayo, orange warning in place for rest of country

As of 5pm, two status red warnings are in effect in counties Mayo and Galway. Storm Isha will bring “extremely strong and gusty” winds and “severe and destructive” gusts to the affected counties, according to Met Éireann, with a risk of “significant and widespread” power outages and treacherous travelling conditions.

A further red warning for wind will come into effect in Co Donegal at 9pm this evening.

Residents of the three counties under red warnings have been advised to stay indoors, and away from coastal areas.

A status orange warning for wind is now in place for the rest of the country.

More from Anne Lucey in Co Kerry where a street has closed in Killorglin due to falling slates.

Diversions are in place for Upper Bridge Street, one of the Killorglin town’s main streets. There are a number of power outages across the county in Farmers’ Bridge, Tralee, Woodford, Killarney as well as areas of Kenmare.

The UK and mainland Europe are also bracing for the arrival of the storm.

Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport has cancelled dozens of flights scheduled for Monday as a preventive measure because of strong winds expected when storm Isha reaches the Netherlands, the airport said on Sunday.

Schiphol in a statement said it had cancelled 130 incoming and outgoing flights and advised travellers to check the status of their flights online.

Dutch airline KLM, the airport’s main user, told Dutch news agency ANP it had scrapped 65 European flights on Monday.

Hopefully nobody has any holiday plans.

Dublin Airport has issued an update to say the storm continues to impact on flights.

So far today, 83 flights have been cancelled by airlines, including 44 arrivals and 39 departures. Some 21 flights have performed go-arounds, with 18 flights having diverted to other airports.

Strong winds are currently limiting the number of flights that can take-off, with conditions also impacting on some ground handling operations.

High winds and periods of heavy rain are forecast to continue at Dublin Airport this evening, making further disruption possible. Passengers are advised to contact their airline directly for updates on the status of specific flights.

Anne Lucey reports from Co Kerry where crews are clearing fallen trees in the south of the county.

ESB and telephone lines are down in several parts including the Gleesk viaduct near in Kells and on the Portmagee Road.

The Doon road and the Tralee to Ardfert road has also had fallen trees in the north of the county. Minor flooding is reported on a number of roads.

Iarnród Éireann has said all trains are scheduled to operate on all routes today.

However, a 50mph (80kph) speed restriction will apply to all train services operating between Athlone and Galway, and between Athlone and Westport/Ballina from 5pm. This will result in service delays to Galway and Westport/Ballina services.

Response crews will be operating on the network, and travelling on board trains to address any issues which arise.

Meanwhile in Cork, Barry Roche reports that the Cross-River Ferry from Glenbrook near Monkstown and Rushbrooke, near Cobh, has been cancelled for the day due to Storm Isha.

Several trees are down including ones in Sunday’s Well and Frankfield Road in the city as well as more on the Baltimore Road in Skibbereen, and another near Rossmore.

Meanwhile, Storm Isha also knocked out power supplies in a number of areas with over 200 householders and businesses losing power in two separate outages in Bishopstown in the city on Sunday morning

And in East Cork, over 1,300 homes and businesses are without power following an afternoon outage at Carrigshane north of Castlemartyr with ESB Networks hoping to have power restored by 5pm.

Thousands of people have been affected by power outages in parts of Dublin and Mayo, according to the ESB’s Powercheck site, while earlier outages in Co Cork and in south Co Tipperary have been restored.

As of 12pm, Dublin Airport said there had been 56 flights – 21 incoming and 35 outgoing – cancelled by airlines. – PA

Paul Rock, who chaired a meeting of the National Emergency Coordination on Sunday morning, said it was a “particularly nasty” storm.

“We don’t want anyone dying as a result of this storm,” Mr Rock said on RTÉ radio. “So we want people to heed the public safety messaging.”

He asked the public to stay away from all coastal areas for the duration of the Met Éireann warnings, all road users to be aware of hazardous driving conditions including debris, and urged people not to touch fallen electricity wires.

There will be delays at ports, airports and possibly some public transport systems, and advised them to check online where they can to see if services are disrupted.

He said he expected schools to open as normal on Monday as the warnings expire in the early hours of Monday. – PA

More than 2,000 homes and businesses were without power at lunchtime on Sunday, the majority of which are in the west. More than 1,200 properties are without power in Oughterard, Co Galway, while there are also outages in Achill and Westport in Co Mayo.

Local authorities, which are the lead agencies for responding to severe weather events on the ground, have activated crisis management teams and local coordination groups.

Dublin Airport said the storm was having an impact on flights. As of 12pm, a total of 56 flights had been cancelled by airlines – 21 incoming and 35 outgoing. High winds have resulted in seven go-arounds, with seven flights diverting to other airports.

“High winds and periods of heavy rain are forecast to continue and increase at Dublin Airport this afternoon, making further disruption possible,” the airport said. “Passengers are advised to contact their airline directly for updates on the status of specific flights.”

Bus Éireann said town, city and intercity services will be suspended in Mayo and Galway from 4pm for the remainder of the day and resume from first service on Monday. Iarnród Éireann said a full schedule of services is planned and expected to operate today.

Ms Coleman said the centre of the low pressure system would pull away after midnight towards 2am, and that conditions would improve by Monday morning.

“It will still be a windy day tomorrow though and there will be blustery, scattered showers, and strong westerly winds,” she said. “There is a yellow level wind warning in place until noon tomorrow, although that could be extended.”

The UK Met Office has issued an amber alert for Northern Ireland from 6pm Sunday, with the storm to “bring a spell of very strong winds during Sunday evening into Monday”.

“Disruption to travel and utilities is likely,” it adds.

A yellow wind warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Derry came into effect at midday and was to remain in place for 24 hours. “Strong winds associated with Storm Isha are likely to bring some disruption to travel and utilities across the UK on Sunday and Monday.”

A meeting of the National Emergency Coordination Group was held on Sunday morning, with Met Éireann, the Office of Public Works, local authorities, principal response agencies, key Government departments and responding national organisations participating.

Speaking afterwards,Paul Rock, senior assistant fire adviser in the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, urged motorists to slow down and be aware of the dangers of fallen trees and debris.

“High sided vehicles, cyclists and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable during this time,” he said. “Everybody is encouraged to keep mobile phones charged and at hand in case of emergencies and to check for updates where necessary.

“Above all, make sure you stay safe and keep in touch with vulnerable or elderly neighbours.”

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) advised road users in areas affected by the red warning to avoid any travel during the period.

According to Met Éireann, a status red severe weather warning is “rarely issued but when it is, people in the areas expected to be affected should take action to protect themselves and/or their properties”.

Met Éireann meteorologist Liz Coleman said conditions would deteriorate throughout the day as the wind intensifies with islands off the coast of Galway and Mayo likely to be particularly hard hit.

She said there would be “pretty substantial and persistent rain” throughout the day, but significant flooding was not anticipated as the strongest winds would coincide with low tide.

“There will still be waves on the coast and overtopping, so people are advised to stay away from coasts during orange and red warnings,” she said. “We can expect trees to come down and power lines to be affected, so there will be power outages in some areas. There could be damage anytime. Trees can come down in yellow warning winds.”

A status orange warning covering all counties other than Galway, Mayo and Donegal comes into force at 5pm until 2am, with gusts of more than 100km/h expected in many areas.

“Storm Isha will bring very strong southwest to west winds with severe and damaging gusts,” this warning cautions. Possible impacts in these areas include large coastal waves with wave overtopping, very difficult travelling conditions, fallen trees and damage to power lines.

An orange warning will be in place for Donegal, Galway and Mayo from 4pm until 3am.

The public has been urged to be vigilant after Met Éireann issued red weather alerts for three counties in the west and northwest and orange warnings for the rest of the country with Storm Isha set to bring “severe and destructive gusts”.

A yellow warning for all of Ireland came into effect at 11am, with wind speeds set to increase over the day. Possible impacts of the storm, the forecaster said, include large coastal waves with overtopping, difficult travelling conditions, and loose objects being displaced.

One of the forecaster’s red warnings, in effect from 5pm to 9pm, covers counties Galway and Mayo.

Met Éireann said “extremely strong and gusty southwest winds with severe and destructive gusts, particularly in coastal and exposed areas” are due and that these will cause dangerous coastal conditions with high waves, treacherous travelling conditions and a risk of significant and widespread power outages.

A similar alert has been issued for Co Donegal but from 9pm until 1am.