Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Sasko Lazarov
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Schools closed in 12 counties and transport disrupted as Storm Barra moves north

A Status Yellow wind and rain warning is in place for the entire country until 6pm.

LAST UPDATE | Dec 8th 2021, 8:25 AM

THE ESB HAS said that 59,000 homes and businesses are without this morning due to Storm Barra, as parts of the country manage the fallout of the bad weather event.

Schools in 12 counties are to remain closed today, as the winter storm moves across the country.

Local authorities are clearing debris like fallen trees from roads as the storm moves over the northwest – the last Status Orange alert lifts in Donegal at 2pm.

  • Schools in Wexford, Waterford, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and Dublin are closed today.
  • Drivers have been urged to be careful on “slippy” roads, as fallen trees are cleared from roads in Kerry, Mayo and Wexford in the aftermath of Storm Barra.
  • On transport, there are no disruptions to Dublin Bus or train services by and large – though the M3 Parkway to Clonsilla train service is disrupted due to a fallen tree, and Dart services are delayed by around 11 minutes. Some of Bus Éireann’s services are affected today – keep an eye on its Twitter for more details.

We’ll be adding updates here as the day goes on, so stay with us…

Here’s the national picture:

Ireland Met Éireann Met Éireann

  • A Status Orange wind warning for Donegal, in place from 5.30am-2pm today
  • A Status Orange wind warning for Dublin, in place from 5.30am-7am
  • A Status Orange wind warning for Leitrim, in place from 5.30am-8am
  • A Status Yellow wind and rain warning for the whole country, in place from 5.30am-6pm today.

Some train delays this morning, after Darts were disrupted yesterday morning due to fallen trees.

Lots of fallen tree reports this morning as well, though they are getting dealt with quickly, it seems…

Met Éireann’s Aoife Kealy tells RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland that the worst of the storm has passed, but there are still extremely windy conditions out there and to be careful.

Brian Tapley of the ESB told Morning Ireland that 59,000 customers are without power this morning, with most of those affected located in the western and north western seaboard, as well as an area of north Limerick.

He said they were doing everything they can for customers, and apologised to homes and businesses waking up this morning without power.

Tapley also asked people to “still be very vigilant with power lines”, and if they come across anything, report it to ESB: 1800 372 999.

If you have an outage, you can check on the ESB’s PowerCheck site when to expect your electricity to return.

So, on the schools:

  • Schools in Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim and Dublin are closed today as they had a Status Orange warning in place this morning – though Dublin’s Orange warning ended at 7am, and Leitrim’s will end in a few minutes’ time at 8am.
  • The capital was added to that list late last night after its warning was upgraded from Yellow to Orange.
  • Counties that no longer have a Status Orange or Red warning in place today, but did last night when the Department of Education made the decision on whether to close schools today, are: Wexford, Waterford, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Mayo, and Galway
  • There is still a Status Yellow wind and rain warning across the country until 6pm.

Gardaí are asking people to “use caution when driving today”

Gardaí are saying that roads are wet and slippy today in the aftermath of Storm Barra, and “many have storm debris, some remain blocked with fallen trees”.

And we go live to a fallen tree…

Trinity College Dublin has confirmed that its campus and library is now open as normal today, now that the Status Orange warning is lifted, and all activities will resume.

It advised people to be careful as they go about the city because of the Status Yellow wind and rain warning.

Twitter has really streamlined winter-storm management, hasn’t it?

Here’s the latest picture, in place until 2pm when Donegal’s Status Orange warning lifts:

Latest Met Éireann Met Éireann

  • A Status Orange wind warning is in place for Donegal, from 5.30am-2pm

Met Éireann says that northwesterly winds will reach mean speeds of 65-80km/h with severe or damaging gusts of 100-130km/h, with localised stronger winds likely.

Due to a combination of high waves, storm surge and high tide, coastal flooding is expected, and disruption to power and travel are likely.

  • A Status Yellow wind and rain warning for Ireland, in place from 5.30am-6pm.

Storm Barra will bring widespread mean speeds of 50-65km/h and gusts of 90-110km/h, with localised stronger winds likely.

Heavy rain will also bring risks of surface flooding and, due to a combination of high waves, storm surge and high tide, coastal flooding is expected.

If you want to read more about the power cuts to homes and businesses, here’s the piece to find out what we know:

Power

 

Another Dublin college campus reopens after Storm Barra.

We’re wrapping up the liveblog this morning now that the storm has left all counties but Donegal.

Keep an eye on The Journal for further updates on power outages and transport services… and hopefully a standard winter weather forecast for tomorrow.

Your Voice
Readers Comments
11
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel