Storm Barra: Major flooding in Cork as extreme weather hits Ireland
Snow is falling in parts of Scotland amid warnings from the Met Office of “very strong winds”, as Storm Barra continues to move “slowly” eastwards across the UK.
Images show a salt-spreading lorry and other vehicles travelling down the M47, in Abington, South Lanarkshire, under what looks like a fairly heavy blanket of snow. Meanwhile, villages in Hampshire, in the southeast of England, have seen some severe flooding.
It comes after tens of thousands of people were left without power in Ireland due to the republic being hit by severe weather conditions this morning, causing chaos for residents who were told to stay home.
Police in Ireland have urged anyone living in areas affected by red or orange weather warnings to avoid unnecessary travel as a result. Cork, Kerry and Clare have all been given the red warning while an orange-level warning is in place for much of the east and west coast.
NI Christmas market closed due to Storm Barra
Belfast Continental Christmas Market will remain closed today due to the “extreme weather conditions” caused by Storm Barra, organisers have said.
“Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause,” a post on the event’s Facebook Page added.
It follows an earlier announcement that Exeter Winter Wonderland will also be closed for today.
Sam Hancock7 December 2021 15:56
Footage shows huge waves crashing down on Isle of Mann
Sam Hancock7 December 2021 15:40
In images: Snow in Scotland and flooding in England
Sheep forage for snow-covered grass in Wanlockhead, Scotland
(Getty)
Sea water floods the shore line after high tide in Langstone, Hampshire
(PA)
A person bails water from a property as sea water floods the shore line in Hampshire
(PA)
A person places sand bags outside a property in Langstone as Storm Barra hits the UK with disruptive winds, rain and snow
(PA)
Sam Hancock7 December 2021 15:30
Storm Barra ‘only halfway through’ with stronger winds on way
Storm Barra is only “halfway through” and the strongest winds could be yet to come, Ireland’s housing minister has warned.
Some 49,000 homes are without power and may not be reconnected for a number of days, government officials have said, after the country was battered by winds of up to 130km per hour.
The country’s defence forces are to be drafted in for “extensive recovery operations”, to clear debris and damage caused by the storm, writes James Ward.
Sam Hancock7 December 2021 15:20
Devon records highest gusts of Storm Barra wind
The Met Office has revealed the strongest wind gusts recorded so far during Storm Barra.
Devon, in England, has seen the highest. Here’s how the figures look:
- 77mph at Berry Head in Devon
- 76mph at Orlock Head in County Down
- 71mph at Magilligan in Londonderry
- 69mph at Aberdaron in Gwynedd
- 69mph at West Freugh in Wigtownshire
Sam Hancock7 December 2021 15:10
Northern Ireland ‘holding up well’ against Storm Barra
As of 2pm, there were around 4,000 electricity customers without power across Northern Ireland.
This is separate to the 49,000 customers without power in the Republic of Ireland.
NIE Networks said affected areas included Downpatrick, Newtownards, Newry, Coleraine, Dungannon and Craigavon.
However, NIE added it had held up well overall, with Storm Barra having had a relatively low impact so far.
Sam Hancock7 December 2021 15:00
‘Respect the water,’ RNLI reminds Brits amid Storm Barra
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is reminding areas affected by Storm Barra to “respect the water” amid severe weather conditions across the UK.
“Half of those who drown at the coast never intended to enter the water,” the charity said in a tweet, alongside footage of waves crashing down in Britain.
Sam Hancock7 December 2021 14:48
Watch: Cork’s River Lee breaks banks as Barra hits Ireland
Cork’s River Lee breaks banks as Storm Barra hits Ireland
Sam Hancock7 December 2021 14:38
Tens of thousands of homes without power across Ireland
Some 49,000 homes remain without power in Ireland, according to ESB Networks.
Gale force winds are continuing to damage the electricity network, with fallen trees on overhead lines proving a major problem.
The energy supplier said more damage and interruptions to supply are expected.
“Crews restoring power where safe to do so,” ESB said in a statement published on Twitter.
Sam Hancock7 December 2021 14:27
Cork expecting ‘intense period of severe wind’
Cork City Council has urged residents in the city to stay at home as winds between 80-130km p/h are expected to continue throughout the day.
The council said “an intense period of severe wind” is expected over the next few hours, with a red wind alert in place until 9pm today.
At least 12 fallen trees have been reported across the city and power lines have also fallen.
Flood waters also flowed across South Mall from the riverside quays at Morrisons Island, peaking at 2.68m.
Sam Hancock7 December 2021 14:20
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