Thousands without power and flights cancelled as 'very strong winds' bash Ireland

LAST UPDATE | 13 hrs ago

A STATUS ORANGE wind warning has been issued for Wexford, while the rest of the country is under a Status Yellow warning as Storm Dave hits Ireland and the UK.

Thousands are without power, 15 flights arriving or departing in Dublin Airport have been cancelled and five other aircrafts diverted to Shannon Airport.

Met Éireann has warned there will be “very strong southerly winds” in Wexford, along with the possibility of “damaging gusts” causing fallen trees and branches, wave overtopping and very difficult traveling conditions. The Orange warning will come into effect at 6pm today and expire at 9pm.

The national forecaster warned the storm, named by the UK’s Met Office, will bring very strong southerly winds, veering westerly by the evening with severe gusts and coastal gales.

Possible impacts include some fallen trees and branches, wave overtopping, difficult traveling conditions, and debris and loose objects being displaced. The warning, which came into effect at 1pm for the rest of Ireland, is due to remain in place until 2am.

A Status Yellow rain warning for Donegal and Mayo began at 8am and is in place until 4pm. Localised flooding, poor visibility, and difficult travelling conditions are among possible impacts. 

Thousands across the country have already been left without power. ESB’s PowerCheck website shows that 1959 customers are without power in Athenry, Co Galway 624 are without power in Smearla, Co Kerry and 1355 customers are without power in Bundoran, Co Donegal.

Dublin Airport said that so far today, airlines have cancelled 15 flights, including seven departures and eight arrivals. There have also been 16 go arounds and one diversion due to challenging wind conditions.

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“Further disruption is possible this evening as winds are expected to remain strong,” the airport warned.

“Passengers due to fly later today should contact their airline directly for updates regarding the status of their flight.”

A spokesperson for The Shannon Airport Group has confirmed that five aircraft diverted to Shannon Airport this afternoon as a result of Storm David.

Flights from London Stansted, Palma De Mallorca, Lanzarote Airport, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and Reus Airport in Spain were diverted to Shannon.

The UK is to be hit more severely than Ireland, with the Met Office issuing an amber wind warning for parts of northern England, Scotland, and Wales.

Outbreaks of rain and drizzle will move northwards in the morning, with some falls of sleet or snow possible on hills in Ulster early on.

Heavier and more persistent rain will spread eastwards across the country through the afternoon, increasing the risk of spot flooding possible.

Temperatures will reach highs of 9 to 12 or 13 degrees.

With additional reporting from Sophie Finn.

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