Tag Archives: storm

  THE impact of Hurricane Ophelia is being felt across Clare this afternoon, with trees down in numerous locations and many homes without power. Speaking to the Clare Champion Councillor Mike McKee said that about a third of homes in Shannon are without electricity, including many in the Ballycasey area. He also said a tree had fallen at Cluain Airne and a lamp post went down at Cill Cais. “It has been fairly wild over the last few hours, but I don’t think it’s as bad as when we had the last storm, three or four years ago,” he noted. Councillor McKee said that most business in Shannon Town Centre had closed, as had those in the Shannon Free Zone. He also said there have been dangerous driving conditions close to the airport, due to debris. In Ennis Councillor Mary Howard said the weather is very dangerous. “The gusts are very strong and its frightening,” she said. “My advice is …

A NATIONWIDE Status Yellow weather warning has been issued by Met Éireann. The warning, issued at 10am this morning, states, “A rapidly deepening wave depression will track eastwards over northern parts of Ireland later Wednesday night and early on Thursday.” Storm Doris will bring a period of severe winds and heavy rain, with snow on northern hills. “Strong to gale force southwest winds will develop overnight and become gale force northwesterly by Thursday morning with severe gusts, especially in northern and eastern areas.” The warning is valid from a minute past midnight on Thursday morning until 11am later that day. Storms with the potential to cause substantial impact are named by the British Met Office and Met Éireann, moving through the alphabet. The first was named Abigail in November 2015, after members of the public suggested monikers for the Name Our Storms project. The forecasters are now in their second run of the alphabet – after Doris, people can expect …

Over 2,000 homes and businesses were left without power after Storm Jake ripped through the county overnight and into early today (Wednesday). Wind gusts exceeding 110kmh and a series of severe thunderstorms affected the county as a result of Storm Jake and Kilmaley and Miltown Malbay were among the worst affected areas, with almost 1,000 properties left without electricity. ESB Networks said it expected power to be restored to all locations by this evening. Outages were also reported in Bellbharbour, Cofirin, Cratloe, Lissycasey, Kilshanny, Inagh, Quilty and Coore.

Imogen, the latest in a spate of storms, is lashing the Clare coastline today (Monday). With high winds on the back of high tides, damage has been caused in the Kilkee area and Carrigaholt, near the Irish College.  Clare Champion photographer John Kelly is out and about recording the progress of the storm.   [doptg id=”96″]

Concerns have been raised in Ennis regarding the  effectiveness of the flood defences in the town, completed over the past few years,  particularly around Abbey Street car park. This afternoon, the Fergus rose to very high levels and water appeared to be getting through the newly built walls, which were designed to hold back floods. Council workers are currently examining the situation. With storm Desmond to continue overnight, further rain and a high tide will only exacerbate the problem. More on Storm Desmond and how it’s affecting Clare here. [doptg id=”86″]

2015’s weather is finishing off with a bit of a flourish with Storm Desmond reaching Clare, causing high winds and lots of flooding. Our pictures show some of the devastation, particularly in West Clare. An emergency number, 1890  252 943, has been set up to allow members of the public to report flooding, blocked roads or fallen trees. More on Storm Desmond and how it’s affecting Ennis flood defences here. [doptg id=”87″]  

Clare County Council says there are no significant incidents to report from the county arising from the stormy weather overnight. The Local Co-ordination Group, comprising the principal response agencies in County Clare, met again at Áras Contae and Chláir in Ennis at 9am. A decision was made to discontinue the operation of the Emergency Helpline, which was established on Wednesday evening in response to Met Éireann’s issuing of a Red Alert for strong winds. However, the situation will remain under review throughout the day. The Emergency Helpline received 13 calls between 8pm Wednesday and 8am Thursday. Reports relating to road flooding in Ennistymon, Crusheen, Kilnamona and Dysart, and a felled tree partially blocking a road in Killaloe were recorded and responded to accordingly.

A SPOKESMAN for Shannon Airport said this morning that following efforts throughout the night all flights were continuing to operate at the Clare airport, despite the severe snow that struck the county yesterday evening. Met Éireann have warned that a severe storm is set to hit western counties, including Clare from early afternoon, with winds of up to 130km and heavy rain forecast. Clare County Council says that the worst conditions will be along the coast and they have advised people not to venture out or to drive on exposed roads while these conditions prevail.