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Live BlogLAST UPDATE | 13 Nov 2023
AROUND 70,000 homes, businesses and farms remain without power as Storm Debi hit the country this morning.
Power will likely not be restored in some areas until tonight or possibly tomorrow.
Public transport was severely impacted this morning, but services began to resume again at 10am.
All the weather warnings in place for Storm Debi elapsed at 3pm.
Keith Leonard, the national director for fire and emergency management, has advised the public that “although the storm has passed, there are still hazards out there – particularly fallen trees or branches and fallen wires”.
Updates from Hayley Halpin, Órla Ryan and Daragh Brophy
That’s all from us on the liveblog for today.
We’ll leave you with a quick recap on the day’s developments…
Westmeath County Council has an updating regarding road closures:
Storm Debi
— Westmeath County Council (@westmeathcoco) November 13, 2023
County Westmeath has been impacted by Storm Debi and road users should exercise caution.
The N52 between Delvin and Clonmellon and the N51 between Delvin and Athboy have been cleared and are now open.
Council crews continue to undertake recovery operations…
The clean up operation is well underway in Galway city this afternoon.
Clean up is underway in Galway City today.
— Galway City Council (@GalwayCityCo) November 13, 2023
If you need assistance, please contact Galway City Council on 091 536 400. pic.twitter.com/uR3acpe0xR
The Luas Green Line has now fully reopened.
People are being advised to expect delays while the service is regulated and to allow extra time when travelling.
The Green Line has now fully reopened. Please expect delays while we regulate the service and allow extra time when travelling.
— Luas (@Luas) November 13, 2023
A number of areas of Northern Ireland have flooded due to Storm Debi.
The PSNI has also warned of floods in south Belfast.
Cars struggled through flood water on roads surrounding Cookstown in Co Tyrone, while SDLP councillor Malachy Quinn said a woman in Coalisland had lifted her child over her head as floodwater impacted the King’s Row area.
Downpatrick in Co Down was badly affected by flooding in recent weeks, with many businesses under several feet of water after the nearby River Quoile burst its banks.
The Newry, Mourne and Down District Council said the A22 Killyleagh Road in Downpatrick had been closed at Quoile Bridge and that traffic was being diverted.
There were local reports of damage at the Quoile Bridge due to the amount of pressure it had been under with high water levels.
The canal in Newry, one of the areas worst affected by recent flooding, remained at a high level.
A number of roads were closed in the Ballymena area today due to fallen trees and the Department for Infrastructure said there were reports of a landslip on the A2 Shore Road in Glenarm.
NIE Networks said about 2,000 customers were without power, mainly around Craigavon, Newry and Downpatrick.
A large tree has fallen and damaged a vehicle on Leeson Park in Ranelagh, Dublin.
Keith Leonard, the national director for fire and emergency management, told RTÉ’s News at One that they are “very much into the restoration and clean up phase” following Storm Debi.
“The worst impacts are in Galway city where we have seen various states of flooding in the Spanish Arch.”
“As soon as we have some of the numbers on the businesses (impacted) the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment are going to stand up a scheme specific for Galway City Council and that will happen in the next number of days,” Leonard said.
There are 70,000 homes, businesses and farms still without power in the aftermath of Storm Debi.
Brian Tapley, ESB Networks regional manager, told RTÉ’s News at One that power has been restored to around 30,000 customers.
“Athlone, Longford, Mullingar, Cavan, Drogheda and parts of North Dublin are the worst affected,” he said.
Storm Debi battering the seafront at high tide in Brighton, England this morning:
Staying windy today with very strong gusts for a time 🍃
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) November 13, 2023
Sunny spells and showers today, tomorrow and Wednesday. 🌦️
A spell of rain on Wednesday night into Thursday will be followed again by sunshine and showers on Friday🌧️
Cool,highs generally in the low teens. pic.twitter.com/x9gOiSmp37
The National Directorate for Emergency and Fire Management (NDFEM) called a further National Emergency Coordination Group meeting this morning in the wake of Storm Debi.
Speaking after this morning’s meeting, Keith Leonard, director-general of the NDFEM advised the public tha “although the storm has passed, there are still hazards out there – particularly fallen trees or branches and fallen wires”.
“All road users should slow down and be aware of the dangers of fallen trees and debris. I would remind people that it is critical that they never ever touch or approach fallen wires. Be sure to stay safe and stay clear of fallen or damaged electricity wires,” Leonard said.
“Given the disruption in some areas, people should check their travel plans in advance of setting out on their journey,” he said.
“We will continue to coordinate activities across all relevant state bodies to ensure we can address the impacts of the storm and, as always, we would advise everybody to monitor national and local media, including social media, over the course of the day to keep up to date with the latest information.”
The NDFEM Crisis Management Team is continuing to monitor developments, liaising with Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams and Crisis Management Teams who are actively dealing with the disruption caused by the storm.
Disruptions remain on the Luas Green Line from St Stephen’s Green to Balally, but the Luas operator has said that its tickets are valid on Dublin Bus for the duration of today’s disruption.
Luas tickets are valid on Dublin Bus for the duration of this disruption.
— Luas (@Luas) November 13, 2023
We apologise for the inconvenience caused.
Although Bus Éireann routes have mainly resumed in many parts of the country, it is continuing to face some delays due to the storm.
It’s advising customers to continue checking its website for the latest updates on its services and to also leave additional time should you be intending to travel.
“While services are resuming across the Bus Éireann network, we are still experiencing a degree of service disruption due to Storm Debi and we would ask intending customers to check our website www.buseireann.ie for service updates,” a statement said.
The latest storm tracker update from Met Éireann places Debi as continuing northeastwards over the country.
Severe and damaging wind gusts are to continue for a time leading to disruption, the forecaster says.
Heavy rain will become confined to Ulster with sunny spells & showers following.
Irish Rail delays
The latest delays to a number of rail services across Munster, Connaught and Dublin have been posted by Irish Rail.
Delays of 50 minutes are expected for Cork to Heuston and Westport to Heuston, while passengers are in store for 40-minute delays for Galway to Heuston and Mallow to Tralee.
Update:
— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) November 13, 2023
11:25 Mallow - Tralee approx. 40 mins delayed.
11:05 Galway - Heuston approx. 40 mins delayed.
10:25 Cork - Heuston approx. 50 mins delayed.
09:45 Westport - Heuston approx. 50 mins delayed.
Update to follow. -CL https://t.co/Uhjdtwfyl8
Crews are working to remove a fallen tree in Beechwood in Dublin.
The Luas Green Line service is expected to remain out of action for another two hours to allow the removal of the tree.
Crews are working hard to remove the fallen tree at Beechwood. We thank you for your patience and apologise for the inconvenience caused by this disruption. pic.twitter.com/0BpXAfoccO
— Luas (@Luas) November 13, 2023
Three inbound flights to Dublin Airport had to be diverted this morning.
Dublin Airport continues to operate as normal today. Passengers should continue to contact their airline directly for updates regarding specific flights.
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) November 13, 2023
As of 11.00, 3 inbound flights have been diverted from Dublin, with some minor delays to outbound flights.#StormDebi pic.twitter.com/2YYFCedvna
An Post has said it adjusted its schedules to “get letters and parcels safely around the country ahead of the storm”.
Deliveries in some areas in the north, midlands, south and east of the country will be delayed due to road conditions and power outages, all determined by local conditions.
An Post said deliveries will get underway as soon as it is safe to do so.
Many post offices are operating normally around the country and post offices in the counties affected by the Status Red warnings started to open from 11am, wherever it is safe to do so. Power outages are impacting some post offices.
An Post is asking customers to “stay safe and not to take any risks while the storm is raging or where road conditions are dangerous”.
A postwoman was taken to hospital after being hit by flying debris in Co Limerick this morning but An Post said she was not seriously injured.
Speed restrictions across the Irish Rail network have been lifted.
However, restrictions remain in place between Ennis and Athenry.
Irish Rail said delays to services are still expected due to earlier delays.
🚨#StormDebi 🚨
— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) November 13, 2023
Speed restrictions across the entire network have been lifted. Restrictions remain in place between Ennis/Athenry
Delays to services are still expected due to earlier delays. I will provide updates as information becomes available. Updates to follow. -AD
Meath County Council said it attended a number of incidents this morning with vehicles and fallen trees. There were no injuries reported.
Here’s the aftermath of one fallen tree…
Monaghan County Council and Offaly County Council have some updates regarding the fallen trees:
#StormDebi #Offaly - #Birr area
— Offaly County Council (@offalycoco) November 13, 2023
🌳🌳 Our crews have cleared fallen trees / debris on R437 between Lumcloon Cross & Gallen (1km south of Ferbane) and branches off N52 at Killooly (3km south of Kilcormac). Please continue to drive appropriately to road conditions.@midlands103 pic.twitter.com/hr10qy91LY
Road update from Monaghan County Council pic.twitter.com/FKdQL9awqh
— Monaghan County Council (@MonaghanCoCo) November 13, 2023
A man and a woman clear a fallen tree on the Dublin Road in Dundalk, Co Louth.
Westmeath County Council and Louth County Council are reporting a number of incidents of fallen trees this morning.
Storm Debi
— Westmeath County Council (@westmeathcoco) November 13, 2023
County Westmeath has been impacted by Storm Debi and there are numerous fallen trees across the county. These are disrupting travel and road users should exercise extreme caution.
The following sections of road are closed due to fallen trees:
N52 between Delvin and…
Reports are coming in to @louthcoco of a tree down on the Carlingford to Omeath Road, and near St Judes Shrine, Omeath, as well as flooding on the Omeath to Newry Road.#StormDebi #StaySafe
— Louth County Council (@louthcoco) November 13, 2023
The Luas Green Line is still experiencing some disruption.
Green Line passengers, In order to remove the tree blocking the tracks at Beechwood and to ensure the overhead lines are not damaged, we must turn off the power between St. Stephen’s Green to Balally. It is estimated that this will take three hours to complete. pic.twitter.com/VJ7Sb9oFZL
— Luas (@Luas) November 13, 2023
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has confirmed that the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is available to provide support to those living in properties directly affected by flooding in Co Galway today.
The scheme will also be extended to other affected areas as required, it has been confirmed.
The Department of Social Protection says the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme “prevents hardship by providing income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who are unable to meet costs for essential needs, household items and structural repair”.
Humphreys said she is “very conscious of the serious disruption that severe weather and flooding is causing for individuals and families in Co Galway, especially in Oranmore and parts of Galway city”.
We have another update from the ESB regarding power outages.
As of 10.30am, 80,000 homes, farms and businesses are without power.
Most impacted counties include Galway, Roscommon, Westmeath, Meath, Cavan and Louth.
At 7.45am this morning, approximately 100,000 customers were without electricity.
“All available resources are now deployed as Storm Debi clears the country and ESB Networks crews are currently in the process of assessing damage, making the network safe and repairing electricity supply where safe to do so,” a spokesperson for ESB said.
“Crews expect to restore power to the majority of impacted customers throughout today. However, due to the scale of the damage to the electricity network, some customers in localised areas will remain without supply overnight,” they said.
Real-time updates on power restoration times are available on www.powercheck.ie and www.esbnetworks.ie.
People who come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network are being warned to “never, ever touch or approach these as they are live and extremely dangerous”.
Any damage to electricity infrastructure should be reported to the ESB by calling 1800 372 999.
Pictured are waves crashing into the rocks at the Mumbles lighthouse and headland near Swansea, Wales shortly after sunrise as Storm Debi moves into Southern parts of the UK.
Dublin Bus services were cancelled until 10am this morning. However, services have begun to resume now.
Luas services were also cancelled until 10am this morning.
The Red Line has now fully reopened, but customers are being advised there may be delays as the service is regulated.
The Green Line is operating between St Stephen’s Green and Broombridge and between Brides Glen and Balally.
Irish Rail put a speed restriction of 80kph in place across the entire rail network this morning and delays to services on all routes are expected.
Dublin Airport is operational this morning but a number of flights have been cancelled.
As of 10.40am, four incoming and five outgoing flights have been cancelled. The airport said “some disruption is possible” today as a result of the storm.
Passengers are being advised to contact their airline for updates on specific flights.
In Cork Airport, the 6.10am flight to Amsterdam was cancelled.
Ferry services have also seen some disruptions overnight and this morning as a result of the storm.
The 2am Dublin to Holyhead service was cancelled, along with the 8.15am Holyhead to Dublin service.
Amber weather warnings are in place for parts of Northern Ireland and north-west England.
It will be a very wet and windy start to Monday as #StormDebi crosses Northern Ireland and northern England
— Met Office (@metoffice) November 12, 2023
Take care and stay #weatheraware pic.twitter.com/OSBxzgod8X
The UK Met Office has issued several weathers warning for Northern Ireland, including an amber alert for wind, which will remain in place in the south east of the region until midday.
In north-west England, an amber alert is active from 10am until 4pm and covers coastal areas north of Liverpool up to Whitehaven.
The Met Office has warned people in those areas should be wary of solid and disruptive winds with the possibility of flying debris.
Damage to buildings and structures is likely, and heavy items such as tiles blown from roofs may present a potential danger to life.
The UK’s chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: “Storm Debi has developed rapidly overnight and will bring impacts across parts of the UK today.
“Because of the particular risk of impacts to parts of Co Armagh and Co Down this morning and parts of northwest England through much of the day we have issued two amber wind warnings.”
A yellow warning for wind, the lowest level of alert, will be in place from 4am until 6pm for areas including Bangor and St Davids in Wales and Manchester, Sheffield and Liverpool in England.
Aberdeenshire in Scotland will have a yellow warning for rain from 10am until 9pm.
In Galway, the Blackrock diving tower is closed following damage from the storm.
Blackrock Diving Tower is closed this morning following damage from Storm Debi.
— Galway City Council (@GalwayCityCo) November 13, 2023
Crews have been mobilised to the worst affected areas - if you need assistance, please contact Galway City Council on 091 536 400. pic.twitter.com/jQMWWBJaAE
Carlow County Council is closing a number of parks for the entirety of today “as a precautionary measure”.
As a precautionary measure the following will be closed tomorrow, Monday November 13th:
— CarlowCountyCouncil (@Carlow_Co_Co) November 12, 2023
➡️Carlow Town Park
➡️Oak Park
➡️Duckett's Grove
➡️Tullow Town Park
➡️Thomas Traynor Memorial Park#StormDebi #Carlow @carlowfire @carlowlive1 @CWnationalist @kclr96fm @allaboutcarlow
The ESB has confirmed a number of homes and businesses have had power restored this morning following outages.
There are now around 84,000 customers without power, down from 110,000 earlier.
In Cavan, ther are a number of fallen trees and some flooding has been reported.
Here’s a list of some of the incidents reported to the council this morning:
A non-exhaustive list of ongoing incidents across the county. Please exercise caution on all routes. #StormDebi pic.twitter.com/T8Auenyg57
— Cavan County Council (@cavancoco) November 13, 2023
Louth County Council has received reports of fallen electricity wires in the Port area.
People are being advised to avoid the area.
@louthcoco has reports of fallen electricity wires in Port Area. This has been reported to the ESB but people are advised to AVOID THE AREA#StormDebi pic.twitter.com/daG7gtDr6s
— Louth County Council (@louthcoco) November 13, 2023
All the weather warnings in place are now Status Yellow, Met Éireann has confirmed.
#StormDebi
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) November 13, 2023
⚠️All warnings are now status yellow
Possible impacts:
- Fallen trees/branches🌲
- Localised flooding including wave overtopping🌊
- Hazardous travelling conditions🚲🚗🚶♀️
Warning details ➡️https://t.co/nXGhrFJMwc pic.twitter.com/x6LKkscK4j
Status Orange warnings from the Met Office remain in place for counties Down and Armagh.
Trinity College Dublin and UCD will remain closed until 11am.
Meanwhile, as we reported earlier, lectures in DCU have been postponed until midday.
Maynooth University is also opening later than usual.
MONDAY 7.45am UPDATE- Trinity will remain closed until 11.00am, giving people time to travel when the RED Weather Warning lifts at 9.00am. This means lectures, tutorials, demonstrations, libraries are closed until 11.00am. Please do not travel until RED warning expires. pic.twitter.com/0SgAWlH9Za
— Trinity College Dublin (@tcddublin) November 13, 2023
🚨🔴 Status Red weather warning: University classes cancelled until 11:00 am Monday 13 November 2023
— University College Dublin (@ucddublin) November 12, 2023
As storm Debi moves across the country, Met Éireann has heightened the status warning for Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Louth, Wicklow, Offaly and Westmeath to Status Red.
According… https://t.co/ftEEfcWO93
Storm Update
— Maynooth University Library (@library_MU) November 13, 2023
The Red warning in place for Co Kildare has been extended until 9.00am. Therefore the Library will now open at 10.30am. This is subject to change. Please check back here regularly. Please stay safe and avoid any un-necessary travel.#StormDebi pic.twitter.com/twegyFIWiT
Winds are easing in some areas but local flooding remains a concern.
Sun rising over #StormDebi as she begins to pull away. Nice sunny spells in the South but heavy rain continues in the Northwest with risk of local flooding. Winds will only slowly ease in the North and East this morning. pic.twitter.com/QRH9dZgRPH
— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) November 13, 2023
There are fallen trees around the country, including the below incidents in Meath. Drivers have been urged to exercise extreme caution.
@MCCFireService urge people not to be making any journeys while the Red Weather Warming is in place.
— Meath County Council Fire & Rescue Service (@MCCFireService) November 13, 2023
We have attended a number of incidents this morning with vehicles and fallen trees. Thankfully no injuries to report.. #StormDebi @meathcoco @aaroadwatch pic.twitter.com/Ap7Tgdyhsf
Galway City Council will provide assistance to property owners affected by the storm.
Anyone who needs assistance should contact GCC by calling 091 536 400.
Red Weather Alert - Galway City Local Update
— Galway City Council (@GalwayCityCo) November 13, 2023
(Monday 13.11.2023 8:10am)
Galway City Council will provide assistance where required to affected property owners.
For anyone that needs assistance, Galway City Council can be contacted at 091 536 400. pic.twitter.com/vZNC4SpVba
Liam Burke has captured the damage of Storm Debi in Oranmore, Co Galway, today.
All photos by Liam Burke
Keith Leonard, the national director for fire and emergency management, has advised people to stay home where possible.
He told Morning Ireland: “The advice would be to be very aware of your local conditions. Storms are not uniform events and the impacts could go on for a good part of the day.
“So, where people have the option, I would say stay home if you can. If you are moving just be very careful of the local conditions, particularly in coastal areas, they’re going to remain hazardous today.
“So we’d advise people – as the Coast Guard would say – stay high and stay dry, and stay away from coastal areas.”
Gerry O’Malley, Chief Fire Officer for Galway, told Morning Ireland there was severe flooding in the Salthill area overnight, as well as some flooding in the city centre.
His crews rescued eight people overnight, primarily from stranded cars.
The clean-up operation has begun, but he said there are still risks even though the storm has passed.
Around 110,000 homes, businesses and farms are now without electricity, the ESB has confirmed.
Brian Tapley of ESB Networks told Morning Ireland, given the scale of the outages, power will likely not be restored in some places until tonight or tomorrow.
“We’re going to be working late into the night, I think, to get the majority of our customers back. It’s probably too soon to say how many may be without supply overnight, but we’ll aim to have the vast majority of our customers back today.”
Tapley said emergency calls have started already, since first light, and “as the storm fully passes, the majority of our crews will be deployed and we’ll be making the network safe”.
He added: “If anyone does come across a falling power line, our advice would be to treat it as live and report it, they can contact powercheck.ie to log a fault.”
Tapley stressed that members of the public should not touch any fallen conductors or cables.
A number of banks, including Bank of Ireland and AIB, are opening later than normal today due to the weather warnings.
Bank of Ireland has followed suit. In a statement issued this morning, BoI said: "Due to the weather warnings issued by Met Éireann, all Bank of Ireland branches in counties with Red and Orange warnings will not open until 11am this morning at the earliest." https://t.co/LXisLB4A3c
— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) November 13, 2023
Mary Connaughton, the Director of CIPD, the professional body for HR and Learning & Development, has issued the below statement.
“The CIPD in Ireland is calling on employers to be supportive of workers facing potential disruption throughout the morning and later in the day as a result of Storm Debi and its associated conditions.
“For locations under red and orange weather warnings, employees should be facilitated to stay at home unless travel is urgent and work onsite is essential. For those who can work from home, this is the best option.
“For those with childcare responsibilities, delayed school and creche opening times will also impact on their ability to keep to their usual travel and work times.
“Situations such as this require an understanding from employers that workers should not put themselves at risk in extreme weather. Flexible working on annual leave, or arrangements to facilitate the rescheduling of any hours missed are all potential ways to make up any shortfall.”
CIPD has around 6,000 members in Ireland.
Here is the latest on delays to Irish Rail services:
🚨#StormDebi 🚨
— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) November 13, 2023
Speed restriction of 50mh/80kh is in place across the entire network this morning due to weather alerts. -AD
DART +10mins
Northern Commuter +15mins
Maynooth +10mins
Heuston Commuter +20mins
Update: 05:20 Athlone/Heuston currently operating +130mins has stopped at Clonydonnin due to another tree on the line. -AD https://t.co/Wco0e7bNNw
— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) November 13, 2023
Here is the latest update from ESB:
Storm force winds associated with Storm Debi have caused damage to the electricity network overnight, predominantly in Western, Midwest and Midlands counties.
As of 7.45am, approximately 100,000 homes, farms and businesses are without power, but this number may rise as the storm tracks eastwards.
All available resources are deployed, and ESB Networks crews will respond to all electricity outages once it’s safe to do so. Further updates will issue in due course.
An Important Public Safety Message: If you come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network, never, ever touch or approach these as they are LIVE and extremely dangerous. Please report any damage to electricity infrastructure by calling 1800 372 999.
In the case of any electricity-related emergencies, people have been advised to call ESB on 1800 372 999.
At ESB Networks we are keeping a close eye on #StormDebi. Here is some advice on how to stay prepared in advance. In case of electricity related emergencies call us on 1800 372 999. Remember to always #StaySafe and #StayClear pic.twitter.com/vw1DsNsRNM
— ESB Networks (@ESBNetworks) November 12, 2023
Patrick O’Donovan, Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, has advised people to take “extreme caution” especially when driving.
Speaking on Morning Ireland, he said: “Especially in the counties that are still [under a red warning] and those that are orange, is to drive with extreme caution if you are going out and to avoid unnecessary travel, especially in the orange and yellow counties as well because there can be some severe gusts in the yellow counties as well.
“We won’t be able to ascertain the full damage until later on in the morning.
“The National Emergency Coordination Group will meet at 11 o’clock and we’ll get a fuller picture from the local authorities, but already we can see in relation to electricity outages that there are literally tens of thousands of houses [affected].”
O’Donovan said people should not attempt to clear any debris on roads themselves or cut down branches, and to instead leave it local authorities, ESB personnel and other trained workers.
All lectures in Dublin City University have been cancelled until 12 noon today.
#StormDebi update: All lectures cancelled in DCU until 12 noon today. This follows overnight changes to Status Red alert from Met Éireann and the expected significant travel disruption across Dublin as a result. We will issue further updates if anything changes pic.twitter.com/hVk3mhClJW
— Dublin City University (@DCU) November 13, 2023
Bus Éireann has extended its period without service this morning – there will now be no services until 11am in some areas.
A phased resumption of services in the following areas will commence from 11am and full details will be updated on the BÉ website:
School transport services:
As per the decision to delay the opening of schools until 10am, school bus services in the 21 counties (Clare, Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan, Monaghan, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Galway, Roscommon and Wicklow) affected by the Status Red and Orange Warnings will not operate this morning; however, afternoon services will operate as normal, subject to local road conditions being safe to travel.
Dublin City Council’s Crisis Management team met on Sunday night to discuss its response to Storm Debi.
The council is advising all commuters including pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and public transport users to “take extreme care on the roads and to assess the risk of travel”.
Non-essential council staff are to work remotely today, where possible, until 10am.
City Hall will remain closed until 10am as will all city libraries along with city parks, and sports and recreation facilities.
Council crews were on standby overnight and will be again today to assess any damage caused as a result of the storm and to carry out repairs.
The Crisis Management Team will reconvene this morning.
Court buildings in the counties affected by Status Red weather warnings will remain closed for the duration of the warning. Courts will not sit before 11:30am in these counties.
Court users will be informed of these and any other updates via the courts.ie website and the Courts Service’s Twitter/X account.
There are a number of disruptions to public transport, flights and ferry services this morning. Here is the latest information:
*Update* Due to #StormDebi and the red weather warning issued by @MetEireann, there will be no Dublin Bus services operating before 10.00hrs on Monday 13 November 2023. https://t.co/yyrEnFuZ5X
— dublinbusnews (@dublinbusnews) November 13, 2023
Dublin Bus and Luas have cancelled all services until 10am.
Bus Éireann has cancelled services in areas affected by red alerts until at least 10am.
Irish Rail has put a speed restriction of 80kph in place across the entire rail network and delays to services on all routes are expected.
Dublin Airport is operational this morning but a number of flights have been cancelled.
In Cork Airport, the 6.10am flight to Amsterdam was cancelled.
Ferry services have also seen some disruptions overnight and this morning as a result of the storm.
Dublin Airport is open and operational this morning. However, as of 6am, four incoming and four outgoing flights were cancelled.
Dublin Airport is open & operational this morning. As of 6am, 4 incoming & 4 outgoing flights have been cancelled.
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) November 13, 2023
Some disruption is possible today as a result of #StormDebi.
Passengers are advised to contact their airline for updates on specific flights. ✈️ (1/2) pic.twitter.com/D2V3hKZBE3
Close to 50,000 people across Ireland are dealing with electrical outages due to Storm Debi.
Most outages were reported at around 5.30am and there is an estimated restoration time of 6pm for most areas impacted by the storm.
According to the ESB’s PowerCheck, Claregalway in Co Galway is the most affected area, with 6,478 customers impacted by an outage there.
This is followed by Mohill in Co Leitrim, where 2,337 customers are impacted by an outage.
Here’s the latest on public transport:
Irish Rail: There’s a speed restriction of 80kph in place across the entire rail network – delays to services on all routes are expected.
Bus Éireann: There will be no services in areas affected by red alerts until at least 10am. They’ll start on a phased basis then.
Dublin Bus: There will be no services until 10am.
Luas: There will be no Red or Green services until at least 10am.
Dublin Airport is operational but a number of flights have been cancelled.
Ireland’s National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) yesterday advised schools and pre-schools in counties with red and orange warnings to remain closed until 10am.
The national director for fire and emergency management, Keith Leonard, advised that conditions around coasts in particular would be “extremely hazardous”.
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.”
Road users, he said, should be aware of “very hazardous and difficult conditions”, including downed power lines.
He said there will be a substantial number of downed trees and other debris.
“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.”
Speaking on an extended Morning Ireland, Met Éireann forecaster Gerry Murphy said it was a “short, sharp” storm and advised people to remain at home until it had passed.
Good morning,
Met Éireann updated its alerts at 5am.
The Status Red wind warning for east Galway and Roscommon has been extended until 7am.
The Status Red wind warning for Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Louth, Meath, Wicklow, Offaly and Westmeath has been extended until 9am.
In both areas the warnings of possible inpacts are:
- Damage to exposed and vulnerable structures
- Disruption to services and transport
- Significant power outages
- Fallen trees/branches
‘Red’ is the highest level of warning under Met Éireann’s storm alert system.
Status Orange warnings will be in place in the following counties until 10am:
Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Cavan, Monaghan, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Galway, Roscommon.
The UK Met Office has also issued a similar warning – an Amber one – for Armagh and Down.
A Yellow Warning applies across the rest of Ireland – the North and the Republic – until this afternoon.
Includes reporting by Press Association
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Christ, around 5am the wind changed direction here in galway as the storm past, thought the house was gone
@David Hynes: Sounds really terrifying, can only imagine how you felt. We were lucky here, minimum damage as far as I can see.
Have just woken up to a beautiful morning here in south east. Was all this hype really nessessary.
@John Flanagan: try being here in the west!
@Joe x: I’m out near Dublin Airport, and it’s pretty bad here at the moment.
@Joe x: we must have been lucky. Stay safe.
@John Flanagan: The South East is one of the least affected regions, still it’s impacting the boats coming into Rosslare Harbour…
@John Flanagan: trees down everywhere in the midlands all trains from Athlone in all directions cancelled until they get rid of trees across the tracks
@John Flanagan: it’s windy enough in wicklow John
@John Flanagan: “I’m OK so everyone else must be too”
@John Flanagan: What hype? Did you read the article or are you just being a troll
Bit early in the morning I think for you
@Jimmy Wallace: There’s always one who says,’There’s always one.
@John Flanagan: You are an ignoramus.
@John Flanagan: we are in Meath, up all night and have woken up to extensive damage outside. Stay safe everyone.
@John Flanagan: I suppose you are the first to complain if they don’t have a hype when it is necessary in your opinion.
@John Flanagan: All that hype about about bombing in Gaza and Ukraine, perfectly quiet round here.
@Lin: me too navan. Fence down and broken
Will somebody please think of the children
Just give me the day off like.
@Claudia: It sounds like you don’t contribute much to your job anyway like.
@Claudia: Did ya get the day off like…?
Did this storm start in Dallas, has that City already been done?
@Bert Carolan: Dallas was Well and truly done
@Bert Carolan: big blow
Storms do not follow county boundary lines. When will Met Éireann realize this?
@Max: Think of the possible chaos if ME used a different system? If half a County was red? Exactly which bit am I in?
@Sean O’Dhubhghaill: Yeah, if only there was a system identifying my exact location within a county or region…we could call it an Eircode, wait a minute!!!
@Si Con: How do you envisage a storm warning system based on Eircodes to work? If people cannot cope with the possible arbitrary nature of a system based on county boundaries they will be complaining about the time next. “It said Orange until 10.00am but the wind died down at 9.15! Who do I complain to?”
@Si Con: you actually seriously expect storm warni gs to work by eircode fml
If Google did storm warnings, with the amount of data we give online, they would probably be able to tell everyone where their trampolines and bins were on the hour!
Stay Safe folks and don’t make unnecessary journeys.
Closing the schools doesn’t stop the spread of the storm. Wake up sheeple.
@Alberto Balsam: but it’s baaaaaaa’d for too many road users to be out in this, me and my maaaaaaaaaa are following the warnings and staying at home, so should ewe.
@Alberto Balsam: You think that’s why the schools are closed this morning?
@Llennoc: it’s called sarcasm you simpleton.
@Alberto Balsam: It’s more satire, but however, the lovely Llennoc still wouldn’t get it.
Lots of Debi Debris around drive safe
Storm over in Galway and NOW the power goes off!
Debbi Me Gee)))
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