Storm Debi: Potential 'danger to life' as severe winds leave 100,000 without power

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Forecasters are warning of a potential “danger to life” as Storm Debi brings winds of up to 130km/h to large areas of Ireland on Monday.

More than 100,000 premises have been left without power while schools in parts of the country have been asked to delay opening, as weather warnings came into effect for the entire island.

While a yellow warning for every county in Ireland came into effect at midnight and is due to remain until 3pm on Monday, the majority of people are also living in areas where Met Éireann has issued red warnings due to “severe and damaging gusts”.

The first red warning had been extended in east Galway and south Roscommon until 7am.

As the storm tracks northeast over the island, a second red warning has come into effect for Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Louth, Meath, Wicklow, Offaly and Westmeath until 9am.

A status orange wind warning also applies to these counties as well as Longford, Cavan, Monaghan, Kilkenny, Longford, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Carlow and the rest of Galway and Roscommon from 2am until 10am.

A separate orange wind warning has been in effect since 1am for Cork.

Power outages and travel disruption

At least 100,000 customers were without power supply at 7.45am on Monday due to Storm Debi.

Brian Tapley, of ESB Networks, said crews expect to be working “late into the night” to restore power.

He said the worst affected areas are Tuam, Longford, the Midlands, Ashbourne and Navan.

Mr Tapley told RTÉ radio that emergency calls have already started but added that it is too early to say how many customers will be without power overnight.

He advised the public not to approach fallen power lines.

A gust of 115km/h was recorded at a Met Éireann weather station in Athenry, Co Galway, on Monday morning.

Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan has said the scale of the damage caused by the storm will be clearer when it is brighter.

Mr O’Donovan, who has responsibility for the Office of Public Works, said the advice is to drive with extreme caution in areas where a weather warning was or is in place.

He told RTÉ radio: “The local authority crews will (have only started) going out in the last while when the red warning was lifted in some counties. Once first light is achieved, they’ll be able to see the scale of the damage.

“We won’t be able to ascertain the full damage until later on in the morning.”

He said the national emergency co-ordination group was due to meet at 11am.

Dublin Airport said some disruption is possible on Wednesday due to the storm. Four incoming and four outgoing flights between Dublin-Amsterdam and Dublin-London had been cancelled as of 7am.

The Luas said there will be no Red or Green Line tram services operating before approximately 10am.

Bus Éireann said there will be no scheduled services until 11am in certain counties, with Cavan, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Westmeath and Wicklow all affected.

Dublin Coach also said a number of its services were cancelled because of the weather warnings, with updates to be provided throughout the day.

The severe weather comes after parts of the island were devastated by floods during intense rain from Storms Babet and Ciarán.

Met Éireann says it will be “very windy or stormy” across the country, with heavy rain and a chance of embedded thunderstorms and hail.

It warned there is a possibility of localised flooding, hazardous driving conditions and fallen trees.

The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) advised schools and pre-schools in counties with red and orange warnings to remain closed until 10am on Monday.

The national director for fire and emergency management advised people to stay away from coastal areas as conditions will be “extremely hazardous”.

Keith Leonard also warned: “People are advised to keep track of the Met Éireann weather forecast because those counties in red, orange could change at short notice.”

Mr Leonard said people should expect lengthy delays across public transport and delays at ports and airports.

He added: “Employers are asked to have some flexibility in relation to employees who have to travel to work and if working from home is an option, that will be the preferred option for people in the counties affected.”

Mr Leonard said road users should be aware of “very hazardous and difficult conditions” on Monday, including downed power lines.

He said there will be a substantial number of downed trees and other debris during the “serious winter storm with some dangerous features”.

“A very important message in relation to keeping your phone charged. There’s going to be extensive electricity outages and your mobile phone is your link to the emergency services.”

The UK Met Office has also issued a yellow wind and rain warning for all of Northern Ireland on Monday, while an amber warning will apply in the southeast of the region around Newry and Downpatrick.

The yellow warning came into effect at 3am on Monday and applies until 2pm, while the amber warning is in effect from 6am until midday.

It said heavy rain and strong winds may bring disruption and flooding to parts of the region.

It advised people to be aware that homes and businesses could be flooded and there could be disruption to bus, rail and air travel.

The agency also warned that fast-flowing or deep floodwater and flying debris could cause a danger to life

Power cuts are also possible.