Storm Amy: Thousands of homes and businesses currently without power; as flight cancellations pile up

An Garda Síochána is reminding everyone to listen to the weather-related warnings in place
Storm Amy: Thousands of homes and businesses currently without power; as flight cancellations pile up

By Cillian Sherlock and Jonathan McCambridge, PA

58 flights have been cancelled at Dublin Airport so far today, as Storm Amy continues to cause travel disruption.

There were two flight cancellations in Cork and one in Knock, while a number of flights have been diverted to Shannon, Kerry and other airports in Ireland and the UK.

Donegal Airport is closed in the interest of staff safety, as the county faces the biggest brunt of the storm.

Thousands of homes and businesses are without power, says the Electricity Supply Board (ESB).

Approximately 184,000 homes and businesses across the country have lost electricity as of 5.15pm, with Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Cavan and Donegal the worst affected.

ESB crews are working to restore faults where it is safe to do so.

A spokesman said: “Crews will continue the restoration work for as long as possible this evening, but it is likely that the majority of customers will not have their power restored tonight due to the hazardous weather conditions and accessibility challenges.”

Gardaí and emergency services are attending the scene of a serious injury incident involving a male in Letterkenny, Co Donegal.

The incident occurred shortly after 4.15pm.

An Garda Síochána understands this is a weather-related incident. An Garda Síochána is reminding everyone to listen to the weather-related warnings in place.

The following warnings are in place for Friday:

  • A status red wind warning in Co Donegal from 4pm to 6pm; followed by an orange warning until 10pm
  • A status red warning from Loop Head to Rossan Point to Fair Head between 2pm and 8pm
  • A status orange wind warning is in place for Clare and Connaught until 10pm
  • A similar amber wind warning is in effect from 3pm until 8pm across Antrim, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry
  • A status yellow wind warning is in place for the State from noon until midnight, with a similar warning taking effect in northern Ireland from 2pm
  • A status yellow rain warning for Galway and Kerry is in place from 9am to 3pm

Donegal Airport has also closed from 2pm in the interests of safety.

Keith Leonard, from the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, said he expects Met Éireann to issue a red-level weather warning for the county for that period.

Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, he said: “If I had one key message, it would be for that period from 4pm to 6pm in Donegal this afternoon, to ask people to shelter in place for that amount of time and to be very careful on the roads before that warning comes into place and after it’s gone through.”

Mr Leonard said the storm will also feature “a lot of rainfall” and that fallen trees are likely to be an issue.

Several matches have been postponed due to Storm Amy. Waterford FC against Drogheda United has been postponed from tonight until Sunday at 4pm; Derry v Sligo is also postponed to Sunday; and Friday's First Division fixture between Treaty United and Longford Town and Wexford and UCD will also now take place on Sunday.

It comes as schools across a large part of Northern Ireland have been told to close early as Storm Amy brings damaging winds to the island.

Forecasters predict the storm will bring damaging winds, with every county under weather warnings on Friday.

Wind speeds could reach up to 80mph (130km/h) along the most exposed coastal areas of the island, with fallen trees and power outages among the potential impacts.

In Northern Ireland, a yellow wind warning has resulted in a decision to shut schools from noon, in the interest of the safety of children, young people and staff.

An Education Authority A statement said: “The amber warning covers the western half of Northern Ireland – counties Antrim, Derry/Londonderry, Tyrone and Fermanagh.

“It has cited the potential for power cuts and damage to buildings, including a risk of injuries from flying debris.”

The UK Met Office said Storm Amy will likely bring a period of damaging south to south-westerly winds during the late afternoon and evening hours on Friday, with gusts of 60-70mph (97-113km/h) inland and up to 80mph along some more exposed coasts.

It said there is a “good chance” power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage.

It warned there will “probably” be some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs.

Forecasters also warn of a risk of injury and danger to life through flying debris and large waves.

The weather will also affect commuters, with longer journey times and cancellations on public transport expected.

On Saturday, there will be further status yellow warnings, with wind warnings for Dublin, Louth, and Wicklow between 6am and noon; a combined wind and rain warning for Donegal, Leitrim, and Sligo between midnight and noon; and a wind warning for Clare, Kerry, Galway and Mayo also between midnight and noon.

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