Storm Debbie: UK weather warnings ‘danger to life’ with winds of 130 kilometers per hour expected
A “danger to life” weather warning and flood alert were issued ahead of Storm Debbie
The Met Office has issued several “danger to life” warnings as Storm Debbie is set to hit the UK within hours, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.
Weather warnings have been issued for large parts of the country, as the fourth storm of the season sweeps through Ireland before reaching northern England and parts of Wales today, with winds of 130km/h possible in some areas.
The Met Office warned of a “danger to life” from flying debris, “fast-flowing or deep flood waters” and high waves in some areas.
A yellow warning is in place for northwest England until 4pm for high winds while a yellow warning covers areas including Bangor and St Davids in Wales and Manchester, Sheffield and Liverpool in England.
Residents of Aberdeenshire in Scotland face a yellow rain warning later today, from 10am to 9pm.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland will have a yellow warning for wind and rain from 3am until 2pm.
This comes after both Storms Babbitt and Ciaran wreaked havoc across the country over the past two months.
Vast swathes of Galway were left underwater as Storm Debbie hit last night
At least six people were rescued in Galway when Storm Debbie made landfall causing massive damage to Ireland.
Galway City is currently under an orange wind warning until 10am this morning.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Gerry O’Malley, Galway County Council’s chief fire officer, said there was “significant damage” across the city and county.
Barney DavisNovember 13, 2023 09:01
Storm Debbie cuts off electricity to 100,000 people
100,000 people were without electricity on Monday morning as Storm Debbie swept through Ireland.
Crews expect to work “late into the night” to restore power, said Brian Tapley of ESB Networks.
He said the worst affected areas were Tuam, Longford, the Midlands, Ashbourne and Navan.
(ESB)
He told RTE radio: “As soon as it is safe, we will deploy our crews.
“The storm is obviously still impacting different parts of the country, so we will be slow to send crews until it is safe to do so, but any emergency calls are being answered.
A gust of 115 kilometers per hour was recorded at Met Eireann weather station in Athenry, County Galway, on Monday morning.
Barney Davis13 November 2023 08:49
Storm Debbie described as ‘the most intense storm to date’ – Irish official
Ireland’s National Director of Fire and Emergency Management said Storm Debbie was “potentially the most intense storm” of the season so far.
“The high winds from that leading edge of the storm as it came across the country were probably the most dangerous part,” Keith Leonard said. So it’s probably the most intense storm we’ve seen so far this season.
He said there was a “general trend” of coastal flooding, for example in Galway City and Oranmore.
“But fortunately, not a lot of structural damage has been reported at the moment,” he told RTE radio.
Barney Davis13 November 2023 08:37
In pictures: Storm Babbit wreaked havoc across the country last month
A resident looks on as a local authority worker collects damaged furniture from outside a property on Sherwood Street in Chesterfield, where a clean-up operation has begun in the wake of Storm Babbitt.
(PA wire)
Retford in Nottinghamshire was flooded after Storm Babbitt hit the UK
(PA wire)
Wendy Taylor, 57, who died after being swept away by Lee, Glen Eske, was among those who took their lives in Storm Babbitt.
(Police Scotland/PA wire)
Tara Cobham13 November 2023 at 08:30
The minister says that the extent of the damage will be more visible in broad daylight
Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan said the extent of the damage in Ireland caused by Storm Debbie would be clearer when it was brighter.
Mr O’Donovan, of the Office of Public Works, said the advice was to drive with extreme caution in areas where there was a weather warning.
He told RTE Radio: “Local authority crews will (start) going out recently when the red alert was lifted in some counties. Once they get the first light, they will be able to see the extent of the damage.
“We won’t be able to confirm the full damage until later in the morning.”
He said the National Emergency Coordination Group is scheduled to meet at 11 a.m.
Holly evans13 November 2023 08:22
Tens of thousands of homes are without electricity
Power outages were reported across Ireland with tens of thousands of homes without power after Storm Debbie hit the island overnight.
Flooding has been reported in areas of the west coast, including Salthill in Galway.
Trees are down in multiple locations, and drivers are facing difficult conditions.
Holly evans13 November 2023 08:13
In pictures: Storm Ciaran hit the UK earlier this month
Locals collect water bottles in Godalming, Surrey, where nearly 12,000 people were without running water after Storm Ciaran
(Palestinian Authority)
The devastating effects of Storm Ciaran in Jersey captured by a drone
(AP)
Storm Ciaran brought strong winds and heavy rain along the south coast of England
(PA wire)
Tara Cobham13 November 2023 at 08:00
The Met Office says Storm Debbie “developed rapidly overnight”.
The Met Office says Storm Debbie, the fourth storm of the season, “developed rapidly overnight” and is now set to unleash severe winds on the UK.
The forecaster says the storm developed in part due to a very strong jet stream crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
The heart of the jet stream is currently located in the south of the UK.
This powerful jet stream is responsible for the period of extremely unstable weather we are currently experiencing. Other areas of low pressure are expected to develop and affect the UK over the next week.
“Storm Debbie developed rapidly overnight and will impact parts of the UK today,” says Matthew Lehnert, chief meteorologist at the Met Office.
“Due to the risk of impacts over parts of County Armagh and County Down this morning and parts of north-west England during most of today, we have issued two amber wind warnings.”
Within the warning areas, the strongest winds are expected to reach 75 mph, or even 80 mph, in exposed coastal locations today, while inland areas are expected to see gusts between 60 and 65 mph.
Two yellow wind warnings for south-east Northern Ireland and north-west England are included among the wider yellow warnings already in place across Northern Ireland, northern England and parts of Wales.
Stuti Mishra13 November 2023 at 07:30
Storm Debbie caused power outages around Galway
Stuti Mishra13 November 2023 at 07:00
Videos show heavy rain and flooding in Ireland
Heavy rain and winds from Storm Debbie hit Ireland this morning. Residents posted videos showing heavy rain on the roads, which led to the roads being flooded with water.
Stuti Mishra13 November 2023 at 06:30
