Storm Bram: Status Yellow wind warning to come into effect overnight for three counties, as 2,500 remain without power

Some 2,500 homes and businesses still without power
Around 90 flights cancelled or delayed across all Irish airports yesterday, while all ferries were suspended during the storm

Status Orange wind alerts lifted from all areas last night as clean-up operation got into gear

Crews are currently working to restore power to the remaining 2,500 homes and businesses left without connection.

Almost 60,000 premises were left without power at the height of the storm and thousands of commuters were hit by cancelled flights, ferries and trains as well as road closures.

The south Atlantic storm significantly strengthened as it approached the Irish coast early yesterday morning and struck with powerful wind gusts of almost 120kmh.

Now, forecasters have issued a Status Yellow wind warning for Galway, Mayo and Kerry.

The warning will be in place overnight from midnight tonight until 7am on Thursday morning. Forecasters are warning of “strong and gusty southerly winds mainly affecting coastal parts.”

Ireland is now on high alert for flooding amid fears the heavy rainfall associated with Storm Bram – combined with torrential rainfall over the weekend – will cause rivers and streams to break their banks.

Transport

Irish Rail has said that all routes are back operational today.

“A full schedule of services will operate on all routes today,” an Irish Rail spokesperson said in a statement on X.

Flight operations at Dublin Airport are also “largely back to normal” this morning after what was described as a “day of significant disruption” yesterday.

More than 100 flights were cancelled by airlines yesterday, and 20 flights were diverted to other airports.

Today will be busier than usual for the staff, with more passengers at terminals due to their rebooked flights departing today.

Meanwhile, a number of flights were also cancelled this morning following the disruption yesterday.

A spokesperson for Dublin Airport, Graeme McQueen, told the Irish Independent: “Flight operations at Dublin Airport are largely back to normal this morning following a day of significant disruption yesterday due to Storm Bram.”

“In total, more than 100 flights were cancelled by airlines on Tuesday, while 20 flights diverted to other airports, before returning later in the day once the challenging winds had eased.”

Mr McQueen continued: “The Dublin Airport team worked hard through the night to help airlines prepare for this morning’s busy first wave of flights, which has departed as normal, with only a very small number of cancelled flights on the departures board.”

“Today will be busier than it normally would have been in the terminals with many passengers who were discommoded on Tuesday being re-accommodated on flights leaving today.

“We thank passengers for their patience and understanding yesterday in what were challenging circumstances due to the adverse weather conditions.

“As always, passengers seeking updates on the status of their flight today should contact their airline directly,” he added.

Flooding

Fortunately, major flood damage was avoided at high tides yesterday despite the sea surge associated with Bram as flood defences nationwide proved effective.

Cork city suffered the worst of the flooding with some city centre quays closed and a number of low-lying roads outside the city proving impassable though no major property damage was reported.

Flooding hit Waterford’s Plunkett railway station where operations had to be suspended after the tracks became totally submerged.

Coastal flooding was also reported in Tramore and Dungarvan in Waterford as well as Blackrock in Louth and Clontarf in Dublin.

Crews work to clear a fallen tree from Killarney Road in Bray during Storm Bram. Photo: Owen Breslin

Waterford City and County director of services Gabriel Hynes told RTÉ the storm had brought an “extremely hazardous day”.

He said there were coastal surges and overtopping, but storm barriers had been put up in the centre of Waterford city, which had protected the area. However, areas such as Tramore and Dungarvan had experienced flooding and waves overtopping but no significant damage.

Clean-up

ESB Networks said crews have been working since first light to restore power to all homes, farms and businesses affected by Storm Bram.

As of 5.00pm today, approximately 2,500 customers remain without supply predominately in the Southeast region.

“ESB Networks moved crews from other areas of the country today to assist colleagues in the Southeast region to reconnect customers as fast as they safely can,” a statement said.

“Crews will continue to work late into the evening to restore supply but due to the damage to the electricity network, a small number of customers in the region will be without power overnight and we apologise for the particular difficulty this causes.

“Customers without power can check for real-time updates on when their fault is expected to be repaired at www.powercheck.ie.

“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. Customers should have their MPRN available to access recorded information specific to their location.”

Status Orange wind alerts were lifted from all areas last night as the clean-up operation got into gear.

Wind gusts of almost 120kmh were reported in some coastal waters as a Status Red alert was in place for all marine areas, with the south and west feeling the worst of Bram’s fury. This was later downgraded to a Status Orange marine alert.

Sea swells caused extensive damage to the carpark at Doolin Pier in Co Clare. Photo: Press 22

A total of 70 schools remained closed or shut early because of the storm, all in exposed coastal areas of Munster and Connacht.

The Department of Education said the decision to close rested entirely with local school boards of management who made such decisions based on local advice and the safety of school transport operations.

The seafront at Clontarf, Dublin, as Storm Bram passes over the country. Photo: Gerry Mooney

Multiple public attractions were closed yesterday because of the safety threat posed by Storm Bram including the Cliffs of Moher in Clare.

Many outdoor Christmas lights attractions will undergo safety checks before re-opening today. The Punchestown race meeting planned for yesterday will now be staged tomorrow.

Water Safety Ireland and the Coast Guard urged people to avoid exposed coastal areas and to exercise extreme caution near lakes, rivers and streams over the coming days as most waterways will be transformed into raging torrents.

Met Éireann warned Ireland will experience unsettled weather over the coming days in the wake of Storm Bram.

“This mobile Atlantic regime will continue to bring unsettled and mixed conditions over the coming days with spells of wet and windy weather but also some drier and brighter spells,” a forecaster said.