*Photograph: Tomás Ó Mainnín.
STORM BARRA resulted in widespread power outages across West Clare.
From 4pm on Tuesday to 1am on Wednesday, Co Clare was placed under a status red wind warning by Met Éireann with no major accidents reported.
113km/h gusts were recorded at Shannon Airport with higher winds experienced in West Clare where farm buildings were damaged in Bealaha. Gardaí in Kilrush were “inundated” with calls about trees and power lines being down. Weather conditions led to localised flooding and some local road closures.
Schools across the county remained closed on Tuesday and Wednesday as did creches while multiple businesses shut their doors for the duration of the weather warning.
At the height of Storm Barra, an approximate 3720 homes and businesses were without power across Co Clare. The biggest outage is in Miltown Malbay and Spanish Point. Other areas impacted; Ballyea, Cahercalla, Cranny, Drumquin, Ennis, Ennistymon, Kilmihil, Kilkee, Kilrush, Loop Head and Quilty. During this time, The Armada Hotel offered to take in members of the public in Spanish Point and Miltown who were left in the dark.
Clare area manager of ESB, Kevin Harrington was hopeful to have power restored to the remaining properties by Thursday morning at the latest.
As a result of power outages, low water pressure and potential outages are likely to be experienced in Rockmount, Rineen, Glendine, Illaun, Tooreen, Knockbrack, Kilfarboy, Ballyvaskin and surrounding areas.
Fire Brigades across the county attended weather-related incidents from early Tuesday morning (06.50) until earlier today (04.30) dealing with fallen trees, cables, and property damage. There were no reported accidents to the Fire Service during the Status Red alert. All Clare Fire and Rescue Service crews were on standby in their seven Fire Stations, and attended incidents based on risk assessment of the weather conditions at the time. In all, they attended over 50 separate incidents across the county, ranging from branches and minor debris/corrugated sheeting to multiple trees blocking main routes.
A spokesperson for Clare County Council told The Clare Echo, “The widespread compliance with the ‘stay at home’ Status Red alert in Clare during the Status Red alert undoubtedly saved lives given the extent of fallen trees and flying debris around the county. The closing of schools and businesses, together with the safety messaging both locally and nationally, greatly helped to shape people’s reaction to the seriousness of yesterday’s weather event”.
Shannon Airport cancelled Tuesday’s Aer Lingus services from and to Heathrow Airport, as well as Ryanair( FR108) flight to Stansted Airport. Two flights bound for Cork Airport from Stansted and Birmingham diverted to Shannon. Normal services resumed on Wednesday with the airport expecting to operate its full flight schedule.
