49,000 homes and business are without power this lunchtime as Storm Barra rages.
Tidal flooding was experienced in parts of Cork and Kerry this morning.
This man explains:
“It’s filling by the minute. “
“I was walking back to my gaff there earlier on. “
“I could make it there. “
“Then the road I took back, I couldn’t.”
“I’d to climb up a wall to get through. “
The River Lee burst its banks in Cork City shortly after 7am this morning, making a number of roads impassable for cars and pedestrians.
23 premises in Bantry Co Cork experienced minor flood, while in Kenmare co Kerry some roads were flooded along the n71.
Tree down across n71 at muckross, completely blocking the road. Cables down. No access beyond muckross park Hotel @radiokerrynews @countykerry @aaroadwatch #stormbarra pic.twitter.com/VbAsD1Oxn7
— William Hunt (@WHunt86) December 7, 2021
High Winds In Kerry
Storm Barra has seen wind speeds of 130km recorded on Valentia Island off the coast of Kerry.
Jim Hernan from ESB Networks says they're working to restore power to the thousands of homes and businesses impacted nationwide.
“We have people out assessing damage, in some cases repairing damage.”
“But in other cases waiting for a window in the weather to get out on to respond. “
⚠️Cork City's #flood warning has passed, but please continue to exercise extreme caution as Met Eireann issued a Status Red Weather alert
➡️Storm force winds & heavy rainfall are expected today
➡️Latest updates: https://t.co/p0AbuLgKSM#StormBarra pic.twitter.com/kWWCQ6l39a— Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) December 7, 2021
Red Means Red
David Joyce from Cork City Council is urging people to stay indoors.
“Just because the tidal flooding has passed, there is still a red warning in the city.”
The status red wind warning for cork and kerry is in place until 9pm, while Clare will be under a red warning from 4pm.
A status orange wind warning is in place for a number of other coastal counties.
