Storm Jocelyn: Orange wind warning in place for Donegal, Galway and Mayo as 38,000 without power

Storm Jocelyn has made landfall in Ireland, bringing very strong winds with severe and damaging gusts.

Orange-level wind warnings are in place for counties Donegal, Mayo and Galway and yellow wind warnings in Leitrim, Sligo, Clare, Kerry, Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford and Roscommon.

Met Éireann said Storm Jocelyn will result in very difficult travelling conditions due to fallen trees and power lines and further damage to buildings weakened in Storm Isha.

Main points

• An orange wind warning is now in place for counties Galway and Mayo until midnight, with a second orange alert in place for Donegal until 2am
• Leitrim, Sligo, Clare, Kerry, Cavan, Monaghan, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford and Roscommon and all of Leinster are under a yellow wind warning
• Some flights to Dublin and Cork airports have been affected by the storm
• More than a dozen Bus Éireann services have been cancelled across the country
• Roughly 38,000 homes, businesses and farms are without power across the country as of 5.15pm on Tuesday, most of those have been in the dark since Storm Isha struck
• Met Éireann says Storm Jocelyn will result in very difficult travelling conditions with large coastal waves, fallen trees and other debris, damage to power lines and already weakened structures likely
• Three people died in road crashes during Storm Isha

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That concludes our live coverage of Storm Jocelyn for Tuesday. To keep further up to date, check in with the story below from my colleague Mark Hilliard.

[ Country battered for second time in three days as Storm Jocelyn brings damaging gusts ]

In Meath, Ashbourne fire brigade are dealing with a fallen tree blocking Rath Road in the town.

Everybody knows the kind of damage storms and flooding can cause to property. Particularly after last winter, there is an awareness that insurance cover is not always sufficient – or even available. So what happens if your property is in the path of the next major weather event?

Read more here: What kind of State assistance can I expect if my property is flooded?

Elsewhere in the storm’s path, Jocelyn is expected to batter Scotland with winds of some 130km/h, leading to all trains being cancelled – while some islands have been without food deliveries for a week.

ScotRail cancelled trains for the second time this week, after Storm Isha on Sunday night, and services stopped before 7pm – with no rush-hour services on Wednesday morning.

The UK’s Met Office issued an amber wind warning covering the west coast of Scotland, parts of the north and northeast and Orkney between 6pm on Tuesday until 8am on Wednesday.

Ferry operator CalMac warned of disruption, and it has been a week since Barra and Vatersay, Outer Hebrides, last received food deliveries on January 17th.

Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution said that as of noon, supplies have been successfully restored to more than 37,000 customers in northern Scotland.

Finlay MacRae, head of operations at CalMac, said: “It’s a challenging and difficult time for communities, with travel and supply chain interrupted throughout prolonged periods of adverse weather.

“The safety of our crews, port staff and the customers we serve is our priority. We are always grateful to the communities who use the network for their patience and understanding during storms.”

Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf previously warned Storm Jocelyn could be worse than Storm Isha.

Mr Yousaf said: “Storm Jocelyn is likely to cause more disruption, with another period of strong winds further buffeting our infrastructure and rain falling on already saturated ground.

“Travel is likely to again be difficult, particularly heading into Wednesday’s rush hour, so I urge everyone to follow guidance from Police Scotland and check updates from transport providers, Transport Scotland and the Met Office.” – PA

Disruption to public transport is steadily growing more widespread as Storm Jocelyn moves across the country.

Multiple Bus Éireann services have been affected by weather conditions. More than a dozen services across the country, including the northwest, have been cancelled. A full list of the services affected in the can be found at buseireann.ie.

In a statement, the carrier said: “Bus Éireann continues to closely monitor road conditions and will follow the advice of Met Éireann and the Office of Emergency Planning to ensure the safety of our employees and customers. We advise intending passengers to check our service updates section of our website.”

Elsewhere, Cork Airport said that as of 6pm on Tuesday, there were three flight cancellations and three diversions.

As Storm Jocelyn begins to make its way across the country, some disruption to flights has been reported.

Graeme McQueen, media relations manager for Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), the operator of the capital’s airport, said: “A total of 8 flights have been cancelled by airlines [on Tuesday] as a result of weather conditions (4 arrivals and 4 departures). Strong gusting winds in the middle part of the afternoon also resulted in 7 aircraft performing go-arounds, while two aircraft made the decision to divert to Manchester and Belfast respectively, before returning to Dublin Airport shortly after, where both landed successfully. Winds are forecast to remain strong for the rest of the evening and into the early hours of Wednesday morning. As always, passengers are advised to contact their airline directly for updates regarding their flight.”

Meanwhile at Shannon, a third flight, Ryanair’s FR7726 from Lanzarote, was diverted there from Cork due to the storm’s impact.

In Northern Ireland, a yellow wind warning came into effect at 4pm on Tuesday and is due to lift at 1pm on Wednesday.

One of the North’s most popular visitor attractions was forced to close on Tuesday due to damage caused by Storm Isha.

In a social media post, Titanic Belfast confirmed that it had closed its doors to safeguard public and staff.

It said: “Due to damage caused to its roof during Storm Isha and further inclement weather from Storm Jocelyn preventing safe access to the roof, Titanic Belfast has taken the decision to close, to safeguard the public and its staff and to allow for further assessment of the damage.

Approximately 4,500 homes in the North were still without power on Tuesday evening due to damage caused by Storm Isha.

Stormont’s Department for Infrastructure said multi-agency partners have been working around the clock to restore electricity supplies damaged by falling trees. – PA

Port of Cork crews have continued working through large waves to escort vessels into port.

On Tuesday evening, Shannon Airport said in a statement that two flights were diverted there from Cork and remained available to assist other airports across the country.

It said “Two commercial flights diverted to Shannon Airport from Cork this afternoon. These were KLM flight 1085 from Amsterdam and a Ryanair flight FR-901 from London Stansted. Both aircraft landed safely and were facilitated by airport staff as Storm Jocelyn began to impact. The KLM flight 1085 landed at 13:10, followed by the Ryanair flight FR-901 at 14:37.

“Shannon Airport is fully operational today with all our services running to schedule. As during Storm Isha, which saw our airport accept 15 flight diversion from Dublin and Cork, we remain available today to assist other flights impacted by Storm Jocelyn if and when required.”

Some 38,000 premises without power across the country

ESB has said the approximately 38,000 premises nationwide are without power as of 5.15pm on Tuesday.

In a new statement, the energy provider said roughly 24,000 of those without power lost it during Sunday’s Storm Isha, while a further 14,000 have been left in the dark as a result of the oncoming Storm Jocelyn, which is hampering further restoration efforts. The northwest of the country, much of which lies directly in Storm Jocelyn’s path, is worst affected.

It said: “All available ESB Networks resources are deployed in counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, and Sligo. This includes crews and partner contractors who have travelled from less impacted areas of the country.”

“Crews are continuing to work into the evening where safe to do so. Many customers will remain without power tonight while some customers will be without power for a number of days.”

Counties Mayo and Galway are now under a status orange wind warning until midnight. Donegal will come under the same level warning from 6pm and that is set to be in place until 2am.

In the North, some 4,500 customers are still without power following Storm Isha but Northern Ireland Electricity Networks expected the numbers affected by power outages to rise as Storm Jocelyn sets in later on Wednesday evening.

A timely reminder from Irish Rail if you live near a railway line.

A status yellow wind warning is now in place for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Roscommon, Clare, Kerry, Galway and Mayo until 2am, with a further yellow warning in place for Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo until 5am.

Galway and Mayo will be upgraded to an orange warning from 5pm until midnight with Donegal being changed to orange from 6pm until 2am.

Good afternoon, Glen Murphy here, keeping you up to date for the rest of Tuesday night’s Storm Jocelyn developments. Thanks to my colleague Shauna Bowers for her work this morning.

The number of customers who are without power is now 45,000, after more than 190,000 had their electricity supply restored.

However, a spokesman for ESB Networks said progress on restoration may be hampered later on today due to Storm Jocelyn and associated orange and yellow level winds.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads on Tuesday, January 23rd, and Wednesday, January 24th, while the orange and yellow weather warnings are in place.

Road users in areas affected by the orange warning are advised to check local traffic and weather conditions before setting out on a journey.

The RSA said drivers need to slow down and allow a greater braking distance between themselves and the vehicle in front in wet weather conditions.

“This is especially important on high-speed roads such as dual carriageways and motorways where there is increased danger of aquaplaning,” the body said.

Motorists should take “special care” when driving behind goods vehicles, avoid flooded routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic.

Pedestrians should walk on the right-hand side of the road facing traffic if there are no footpaths.

People cycling should ensure that they and their bike are visible to other road users by investing in a good set of front and rear lights (white at the front, red at the back) and by wearing clothes that help you be seen on your bike. Consider wearing high-visibility material.

The RSA added road users should take extra care when crossing the road or cycling in extremely windy conditions, as a sudden gust of wind could blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

Northern Editor Freya McClements writes:

In the North, the cleanup from Storm Isha is continuing while preparations for the arrival of Storm Jocelyn are under way.

Approximately 7,000 customers are still without electricity following Storm Isha, and Northern Ireland Electricity Networks said its teams are working “round the clock” to restore supply, while on the roads some obstructions, mainly caused by fallen trees and debris, remain to be cleared.

Community assistance centres will be opened in leisure centres in Newtownards, Craigavon, Cookstown, Ballymoney, Enniskillen, Lisburn and Omagh from 12 to 3pm on Tuesday for people who are still without electricity.

A Met Office yellow warning for wind has been issued for Northern Ireland from 4pm on Tuesday to 1pm on Wednesday.

The Department of Infrastructure has asked people to consider if their journey is necessary and to be aware that there is a high risk of fallen trees, branches or other debris on the road.

“It may be necessary to close some roads or put temporary restrictions in place,” it warned.

It also said monitoring of river levels and tidal surges is ongoing and will continue until the weather warnings have elapsed.

Met Éireann has changed some of the times at which the weather warnings will take effect.

The status orange wind warning for Galway and Mayo will take effect from 5pm on Tuesday and will remain in place until midnight on Wednesday.

In Donegal, the orange wind warning will come into place at 6pm on Tuesday and will remain in place until 2am on Wednesday.

The status yellow warning for Clare, Kerry, Galway and Mayo is in place from 10am on Tuesday until 2am on Wednesday; the yellow warning for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford and Roscommon runs from 2pm on Tuesday until 2am on Wednesday; while in Northern Ireland, the yellow warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry runs from 4pm on Tuesday until 1pm on Wednesday.

A number of trees in Northern Ireland made famous by the TV series Game Of Thrones have been damaged and felled by Storm Isha.

Work is being carried out to clear up at the Dark Hedges site in Co Antrim.

The tunnel of trees became famous when it was featured in the HBO fantasy series and now attracts significant numbers of tourists from around the world.

Storm Isha battered Northern Ireland on Sunday night, with strong winds leaving thousands of properties without power and causing travel disruption.

Mervyn Storey, chairman of the Dark Hedges Preservation Trust, said: “It looks like there are three trees down.

“We have had people out since dawn trying to clear the road. There are a number of other trees down in the area as well. The Dark Hedges road is closed while the work continues.”

A man who died during a single-vehicle crash during Storm Isha has been named locally as Jimmy Rowe.

Mr Rowe, who was in his 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene after he drove into a flood on the N17 at Lisduff, Claremorris, Co Mayo.

His brother Albie paid tribute to him on Facebook. “Folks, with a heavy heart I bring you the heartbreaking news that our baby brother Jimmy Rowe has loss his life on the roads. Give your loved ones a hug you never know when it’s the last.. love u forever Jimmy.”

Mr Rowe is one of three people who died on Irish roads during the storm, with one person dying in Co Derry, while a woman in her 20s, who was a passenger in a van, dying in a collision early on Monday morning in Co Louth.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has warned road users over potentially dangerous conditions both during and after storms.

“When the extreme weather passes road users will still have to contend with potentially hazardous road conditions such as flooded roads and downed pylons, lines, trees, branches, and other debris which could block roads,” the body said.

“Obey any road closures or diversions put in place by Local Authorities and An Garda Síochána.”

Donegal County Council has said all main roads are now open in the county after a significant clean-up operation on Monday.

The operation will continue on Tuesday, according to the local authority’s director of Roads and Transportation, Bryan Cannon, who said there are still some back roads that may have not yet been cleared.

“We will be attending a meeting of the National Co-ordination Group this morning and then we’ll have our own local meeting following that just to ensure that that all of our services are prepared and ready,” he told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.

“But we’ll be continuing to work on the clean-up from Storm Isha this morning.”

Brian Tapley, senior engineer with ESB Networks, said crews will get a lot of work done in the early part of Tuesday before the Status Orange alerts come into effect but added the incoming storm will hamper restoration efforts.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he said more crews are arriving to support efforts in the northwest but Donegal, Mayo, Leitrim, Cavan and Sligo remain the worst-affected areas.

“It’s [Storm Jocelyn] going to hamper efforts, and it’s probably going to produce new outages. So it’s going to make this a multi-day restoration effort,” he said. Mr Tapley urged members of the public to stay away from fallen trees and structures and to “treat everything as live”.

A total of 57,000 homes, businesses and farms are without power following Storm Isha, as the country prepares for the arrival of Storm Jocelyn.

More than 178,000 premises have had power restored by ESB Networks since Monday’s peak outages of over 235,000. Counties in the northwest of the country are worst affected by outages.

Joanna Donnelly, a forecaster with Met Éireann, said Tuesday will be a wet and windy day.

“There will be widespread rain during the morning and afternoon, followed by scattered showers. Highest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees,” she said.

A status orange level warning will be in place for Donegal from 6pm on Tuesday evening to 2am on Wednesday morning.

A similar orange warning is in place for Galway and Mayo from 6pm on Tuesday to midnight on Wednesday.

Storm Jocelyn follows in the path of Storm Isha, which brought severe winds to counties along the western seaboard on Sunday evening and Monday morning.

Three people died in road crashes across the island during Storm Isha while more than 200,000 properties were left without power.