European Region (Commonwealth Union)_Approximately 100,000 HOMES and businesses are without power this morning as Storm Debi batters the country.
Clare Galway in Co Galway is the most affected area according to the ESB’s Power Check.
A Status Red wind warning has been extended until 7am for east Galway and Roscommon.
United Kindom (Commonwealth Union)_A yellow weather warning has come into effect in Northern Ireland as Storm Debi hits the UK, bringing heavy rain and severe gale-force winds.
An alert has been issued for areas north of Liverpool up to Whitehaven and west to areas including Blackpool which is active from 10am until 4pm on Monday.
The Met Office also issued warnings that roads and bridges are likely to close, which means longer journey times and public transport and other cancellations are possible, with road, rail, air and ferry services to be affected.
People have been warned that cuts to power, mobile phone reception, and more may take place as the storm batters power and telecommunication lines.
Those in coastal areas are being warned to keep away from the waterfront, as large waves and beach material is likely to be thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts, and nearby properties.
Weather warnings have been issued for major parts of the United Kingdom, as the storm is forecast to sweep across Ireland before reaching northern England and parts of Wales on Monday, with the potential for 80mph gusts in certain areas.
A yellow warning will be in place for from 4am until 6pm for wind, being the lowest level of alert, for areas including Bangor and St Davids in Wales and Manchester, Sheffield and Liverpool in England.
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Parents are facing childcare chaos with thousands of creches and schools across the country closing this morning amidst warnings of a “possible danger to life” from Storm Debi.
Two Status Red wind warnings being the highest level of alert, will come into effect for Clare, east Galway and south Roscommon, Offaly and Westmeath this morning as Storm Debi brings 130kmh gales and heavy rain. The warning kicks in for Clare, Galway and Roscommon from 3am-5am and for Offaly and Westmeath from 5am-7am with people in these areas warned of a “potential danger to life” during the storm.
A Status Orange wind warning will apply to 19 counties for a more concentrated period of damaging gusts between 2am and midday today.
Bus Éireann school transport services in counties under a red and orange weather alert have also been cancelled this morning with afternoon services set to operate as normal, subject to local road conditions being safe to travel.
Employers were asked last night to show flexibility and allow parents to work from home amid the disruption as schools close or open late.
It comes following devastation of parts of the island by floods during intense rain from Storms Babet and Ciaran.
Met Éireann says it will be “very windy or stormy” owing to Storm Debi across the country, with heavy rain and a chance of embedded hail and thunderstorms.
It warned of a possibility of localised flooding, hazardous driving conditions and fallen trees.
There is a possibility that several schools will remain closed in some of the affected counties, with decisions to be made on a local level by schools and creches.
A yellow warning has been applied to every county in Ireland from midnight until 3pm on Monday.
Schools and pre-schools in a number of counties have been advised to remain closed until 10am on Monday by Ireland’s National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG).
Jason Kelly, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said that the strongest winds were expected to affect parts of the Republic of Ireland early on Monday, possibly coinciding with the morning commute, prior to affecting parts of north Wales and northern England into the afternoon.
A spokesman for the Met Office, Simon Partridge, added: “For parts of north-west Wales and England, there is a possibility of 70 to 80mph winds.
“It will be a wet and blustery day for all.”
