Storm Isha: 'Particularly nasty' storm as people urged to stay indoors

Major disruption to local Bus Éireann services

There are already reports of trees down at various locations across the county and nationwide as Storm Isha sweeps the countryside with people being urged to take care and stay indoors.

A red alert has been issued for counties Donegal, Galway and Mayo as authorities warn people to take care during Storm Isha.

Met Éireann said “extremely strong” winds and “destructive gusts” are expected in the three counties on Sunday, particularly in coastal and exposed areas.

A nationwide orange warning for strong winds will also come into effect on Sunday evening.

Dozens of flights have been cancelled, diverted or delayed from Irish airports as the storm intensified throughout the day.

A tornado watch has also been issued by the Tornado and Storm Research Organisation for the entire country during Sunday.

Paul Rock, who chaired a meeting of the National Emergency Coordination on Sunday morning to coordinate the Government’s response, said Storm Isha was “particularly nasty”.

“We don’t want anyone dying as a result of this storm,” Mr Rock said on RTÉ radio.

“So we want people to heed the public safety messaging.”

He asked the public to stay away from all coastal areas for the duration of the Met Éireann warnings, all road users to be aware of hazardous driving conditions including debris, and urged people not to touch fallen electricity wires.

There will be delays at ports, airports and possibly some public transport systems, and advised them to check online where they can to see if services are disrupted.

He said he expected schools to open as normal on Monday as the warnings expire in the early hours of Monday.

The red warnings are in place from 5pm to 9pm on Sunday in Galway and Mayo, and from 9pm on Sunday until 1am on Monday in Donegal.

There is a risk of dangerous coastal conditions, treacherous travelling conditions, and of significant and widespread power outages in these counties.

A Status Orange wind warning is in place across the country from 4pm or 5pm on Sunday until 2am or 3am on Monday.

Large coastal waves, very difficult travelling conditions, fallen trees and damage to power lines are expected during these periods.

Thousands of people have been affected by power outages in parts of Dublin and Mayo, according to the ESB’s Powercheck site, while earlier outages in Co Cork and in south Co Tipperary have been restored.

As of 12pm, Dublin Airport said there had been 56 flights – 21 incoming and 35 outgoing – cancelled by airlines.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is advising road users in areas under a Status Red warning to avoid any travel during the storm window.

All road users are being advised to be aware of the dangers once the storm has passed as there may be hazardous conditions such as flooded roads and downed pylons, lines, trees and other debris which could block roads.

A status yellow wind warning is in place from 11am on Sunday until 4am on Monday.

In the North, an amber warning is in place in all counties from 6pm on Sunday until 9am on Monday, with a spell of “very strong winds” expected.

The Department of Infrastructure warned that despite contingency measures, public workers’ strike action may disrupt any responses to incidents such as debris on roads and floods.

It said all parts of Northern Ireland are expected to be affected, but the strongest winds will be in the early hours of Monday around the coast and in exposed locations.

The public are being asked to consider their journeys and if travelling, they are advised to take extra care on the roads.

Bus services

Please be advised of the following disruptions to services in the eastern and north east regions today Sunday 21st January 2024.

Route: 109X

20:56 Cavan to Dublin - operating to Kells only.

22:15 Dublin to Cavan - Cancelled

Bus Éireann said it apologises to customers for any inconvenience casued.

"As it is forecast that Storm Isha will subside during the night, schools are expected to open as normal tomorrow morning and School Bus services will in operation. We recommend that you check locally for any impact due to storm damage."