Worst of Storm Floris misses Ireland but over 10,000 in north-west lose power

Irish Independent

2 days ago

A repair campaign is under way by ESB Networks crews, with the vast majority of all households, farms and businesses expected to be reconnected by last night or early today.
Despite the power cuts and travel disruption across the north-west, Ireland avoided the worst of Storm Floris which battered Scotland as it swept towards Scandinavia.
Floris was expected to bring winds gusting to 160kmh over Scotland – with Scottish authorities warning that the storm posed a potential risk to life.
Flights, ferries and even road transport via high-span bridges were severely impacted across Scotland.
Several flights were cancelled in Northern Ireland because of the powerful gusts.
A number of public attractions in coastal areas of Ulster were closed.
The storm hit Ireland in the early hours of yesterday morning with Met Éireann Status Yellow wind and rain warnings in place from 2am until 4pm for coastal counties in Connacht and Ulster.
Most power outages were caused by fallen trees – with councils and ESB Networks officials concerned that the powerful storm was hitting at precisely the time trees were most vulnerable while heavily laden with leaves.
The most extensive of the power cuts hit Tuam in Co Galway, where over 3,000 customers lost power.
Winds peaked slightly below 100kmh off the north Galway coast.
Ultimately, officials were relieved that the damage caused was far less severe than initially feared.
Storm Floris – the sixth Atlantic storm of the season – had a far greater impact on Scotland where it caused chaos for transport systems.
All high-span bridges across Scotland were closed amid fears of damaging wind gusts while ferries and flights were also disrupted.
Water Safety Ireland has urged people to be careful near the coast over the next 24 hours.
People have been warned to exercise maximum caution in the sea after Floris passes as currents could be exceptionally strong in the wake of the storm surge for some time.
The RNLI and the Coast Guard have already warned about strong rip tides in some areas.
Storm Floris had no impact on the major outdoor events taking place in other parts of Ireland including the All Together Now festival at the Curraghmore Estate in Waterford which attracted 30,000 attendees.
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann opened on Sunday and will run for the next week in Wexford.
A staggering 750,000 people are expected to attend the fleadh over its week-plus event of competitions, exhibitions and street entertainment.
Other major events taking place in Ireland over August bank holiday weekend included the Dublin Book Festival, the Breakwater Festival in Wexford, the Spraoi Street Art Festival in Waterford and the Mary from Dungloe Festival in Donegal.
Today will bring a lot of dry weather overall, with spells of sunshine
Met Éireann said Ireland will have mixed weather in the wake of Storm Floris.
'Today will bring a lot of dry weather overall, with spells of sunshine. There will be a scattering of showers for a time, mainly farther north with highest temperatures of 15C in the north to 21C farther south,' a forecaster said.
Tonight will be dry and clear with lowest temperatures of 10C to 14C.
'Tomorrow will bring some spells of sunshine for a time, the best of these in the east', Met Éireann added.
'Overall there will be a good lot of dry weather for much of the day, though it will turn increasingly cloudy, with some well scattered showers developing in the afternoon and with rain and drizzle moving into western parts later.
'Highest temperatures tomorrow will be 17C to 20C, with the day turning breezy with southerly winds.'
Tomorrow night will see winds persist as temperatures will not fall below 12C to 16C.
'Any remaining rain in parts of the east and south-east will soon clear to leave a good lot of dry weather overall on Thursday, with sunshine, but with scattered passing showers too and highest temperatures of 16C to 20C', Met Éireann said.