More stormy weather on the way
Parts of Ireland are being ravaged by stormy weather with forecasters warning of severe coastal flooding and gales of up 120kph.
More than 4,000 homes have been left without power following the latest onslaught of stormy weather.
A man has been taken from Sherkin Island in West Cork by lifeboat after breaking his leg during high winds. The man was out walking this afternoon when he had an accident during stormy weather conditions.
[A man in Dublin was also rescued after getting into trouble while out walking on Howth’s upper East Pier at around 3pm. He was knocked from the upper to the lower pier - a drop of three metres.
He sustained an ankle injury and was treated by paramedics on scene.
The south wall closed beyond poolbeg. Coast guard in attendence pic.twitter.com/ZoyC0mv8XH
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) January 6, 2014
In Dublin, the south wall, which extends four miles into Dublin Bay, has been closed past Poolbeg due to flooding.
Diversion on Routes 1 and 47 from 14:00hrs today due to threat of flooding from high tide http://t.co/tYh79u2Vp5
— dublinbusnews (@dublinbusnews) January 6, 2014
Train services have resumed at Waterford station after a landslide caused the station to close on New Year's Eve.
Bus transfers had been operating between Waterford and Kilkenny and Waterford and Carrick-on-Suir.
A number of platforms in the station will remain closed to facilitate ongoing recovery work from the rockfall, which is expected to continue for around a fortnight.
ESB Networks said crews were working to repair faults caused by strong gales, with homes worst hit in Castlebar in Co Mayo, Ennis in Co Clare, Killarney in Co Kerry, Bandon in Co Cork, and some in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.
Lightning caused a lot of damage mainly in the South & West We hope to have Supply restored by evening updates here https://t.co/SoQMBZAM4e
— ESB Networks (@ESBNetworks) January 6, 2014
A spokeswoman said power should be returned in the next few hours.
While daredevil surfers flocked to Mullaghmore Head in Co Sligo, where waves as high as 11.8m (38ft) were recorded, seafront towns in the south and west of the country were a washout.
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Motorists have also been advised that driving conditions will be hazardous, with the threat of strong crosswinds, fallen trees and electrical wires.
#tramore prom getting hit view from Doneraile pic.twitter.com/RCmAjV1U1C
— Leah Burgess 📷 (@LeahBurgessIr) January 6, 2014
The boathouse at Ballybunion Sea and Cliff Rescue Centre in Co Kerry has been badly damaged by high tides and storm surges this morning.
Wandesford Quay in #Cork getting worse by the minute! #corkfloods pic.twitter.com/hj0g0beeft
— Darren Hayes (@DarrenHayes_) January 6, 2014
#StormChristine River Lee in #Cork has burst it's banks. Morrison's Island, Union & Wandesford Quays are impassable pic.twitter.com/qsxx7EMvtn
— Deric (@deric_tv) January 6, 2014
Snarling waves off Co Clare caused localised flooding in the coastal town Doolin.
Coastguard stores at the town’s harbour were completely washed out, while seafront houses at nearby Lahinch were ravaged by huge swells.
High tides battered the coasts of Galway, Cork and Waterford, but despite a landslide at Plunkett Train Station in the latter last week, normal service resumed today.
Huge hole appears in Tramore as a result of #storm damage pic.twitter.com/2YgAVyvpxL
— The Munster Express (@munsterexpress) January 6, 2014
Fota Wildlife Park in Co Cork kept its gates closed, while high tide at Salthill, Co Galway, flooded the Promenade.
Gales today with gusts 90to120km/h & very high Atlantic waves causing some coastal flooding. Heavy showers with hail/Thunder/some flooding.
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) January 6, 2014
Much of the boardwalk in Youghal, Co Cork, has been washed away by powerful waves.
What remained of Youghal's boardwalk has been pummelled by the sea this morning. Very sad. #Youghal pic.twitter.com/FaK1exCvqm
— John Finn 🇪🇺 🇮🇪 (@carrigman) January 6, 2014
The Marine Institute recorded waves today of nearly 12m (39ft) on its M6 buoy on the Porcupine Bank off the north-west of Ireland
Not just Galway taking a storm battering. Home town of Tramore had wild day yesterday! cc @ChrisKennedy pic.twitter.com/9VMU6is2N7
— Gavan Drohan (@gavan) January 6, 2014
Waves of the same height were also recorded at its Waverider buoy off Belmullet, Co Mayo.
Meanwhile, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) warned continued high Atlantic waves, heavy showers and continued thunderstorms would cause treacherous conditions for drivers.
It advised motorists to take extra care on the roads, where aquaplaning could cause them to lose control of their vehicle.
It also warned it takes longer to stop on a wet road and that fierce cross winds could leave drivers particularly vulnerable.
The RSA also urged drivers to steer clear of flooded roads, warning those that appear shallow could be much deeper.
“Sometimes roads can be closed due to their fragile state after wet weather or because they are blocked by flooding,” it said in a statement.
“Road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic. Watch out for washed out roads, earth slides, broken water or sewer mains, loose or downed electrical wires, and fallen or falling objects.”
Met Eireann, which has an orange alert weather warning in place until around 7pm, has forecast gusts between 90 and 120kmph (55mph-74mph), with thunderstorms throughout the day.
