Storm Ciara: Yellow wind warning in place as thousands without power; Snow/ice warning issued

Sun, 09 Feb, 2020 - 12:25

Digital Desk staff

Update 12.23pm: Met Éireann have announced a status yellow wind warning and a status yellow snow/ice warning for the whole country.

Storm Ciara has been raging across Ireland, with an orange wind warning ending at noon.

Around 14,000 premises are without power and ESB Networks say crews have been mobilised and they are working to repair faults as quickly as possible.

The ESB says crews have been working to restore electricity since first light.

The status yellow wind warning will be in place until midday on Monday.

Met Éireann said: "Storm Ciara will continue to produce very strong west to southwest winds over Ireland with mean speeds of 50-65km/h and gusts generally of between 90 and 110km/h, higher in Atlantic coastal areas.

"A combination of Spring Tides and high seas will result in a significant risk of coastal flooding."

The forecaster has also issued a status yellow snow and ice warning for the whole country.

The warning comes into place at 12.01am on Monday and will be in place until 11.59pm on Tuesday.

Met Éireann has said "widespread wintry showers on Monday and Tuesday with some snowfall accumulations, especially in the west and north.

"Some disruption to travel is possible, particularly over higher routes."

The storm has caused a

Thousands without power with orange warning in place for whole country

A status orange wind warning is in place for the whole country this morning due to Storm Ciara.

It has been in effect since 5am this morning and will be in place until 12pm.

The forecaster says that Storm Ciara "will produce very strong southwest winds with mean speeds of 65 to 80km/h and gusts generally up to 130km/h.

"A combination of Spring Tides and high seas as well as stormy conditions will result in a significant risk of coastal flooding especially along western and northwestern coasts."

Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather said Storm Ciara has already brought strong winds.

"Certainly already, strong winds can be felt along the west coast.

"They will continue through the morning and into the early afternoon, moving across the country along with heavy rain also. "

Storm Ciara is also affecting power with thousands of homes and businesses experiencing a loss of supply this morning.

Around 17,000 premises are without power and ESB Networks say crews have been mobilised and they are working to repair faults as quickly as possible.

The worst affected areas are Enniscorthy in CoWexford, Milltown Co Kerry, Youghal in Cork and Blanchardstown in Dublin.

The Road Safety Authority's Brian Farrell advised pedestrians and cyclists to be extra careful.

"Pedestrians and cyclists can be affected in severe weather conditions, where you have strong winds and heavy rain," he said.

"Obviously the danger from strong winds is the risk of being blown off your path and into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

"Pedestrians need to watch out for gusts of wind as they are crossing the road. They could be pushed out onto the road."

Meanwhile, The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has advised the public to "to refrain from visiting Connemara National Park, Wicklow Mountains National Park or Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park" while the warning is in place.

They said that this "is owing to the woodland nature of the sites."

The NPWS also advises the public not to visit National Parks, National Monuments or Nature Reserves in the areas covered by the weather warnings while the warning are in place.

The NPWS said the following locations are closed due to the wind warning: