Brutal gusting winds of up to 75mph / 120kph have caused havoc in Ireland as giant trees were uprooted, power lines knocked down, properties damaged and transport thrown into turmoil as the post-tropical cyclone, Hurricane Gonzalo, hit ground.
The cyclone hit Ireland’s shores at 6pm on Tuesday night, with a 300-mile core and powerful winds across a 800-mile area.
Batten down the hatches #northeasthour, #HurricaneGonzalo is on it's way tonight http://t.co/Tduvlt1JP6 pic.twitter.com/6i5viDG6GY
— Northumberland Gaz (@alnwickgazette) October 20, 2014
Although no deaths have been reported in Ireland three people in the UK have lost their lives to Hurricane Gonzalo. One woman was killed near Kensington Barracks in London when she was struck by a falling tree. A man was crushed to death underneath a van in Canvey, Essex and another man (63) was killed in Merseyside, Liverpool after his car hit a bridge.
In Ireland there were warnings issued for high winds and a deluge of rain on Tuesday morning. Met Eireann, Ireland’s meteorological service, issued a Status Orange weather warning, which stayed in place until 2pm on Tuesday.
The latest forecast for tonight from @newslineweather http://t.co/B1jg504s1l #HurricaneGonzalo pic.twitter.com/kM5HOjDCh2
— BBC News NI (@BBCNewsNI) October 20, 2014
Irish Ferries and P&O Ferries both canceled services for Tuesday. In Northern Ireland ferry sailings to Scotland were also canceled.
Also on Monday evening a ferry drifted from its berth in Belfast Lough in the midst of the stormy weather.
Aer Lingus reported that authorities at London’s Heathrow Airport requested that airlines reduce their flight schedules dues to the strong winds. Two round trips between Dublin and Heathrow were canceled.
Irish Rail also reported delays and train cancellations on the DART line, in Dublin.
.@metoffice's yellow warning as tail end of #hurricanegonzalo heads towards Ireland - yet more heavy rain forecast pic.twitter.com/csKshrC0k7
— The Irish News (@irish_news) October 20, 2014
Coastal counties especially in the north-west have been worst hit.
Outside Kirkstown, Letterkenny in County Donegal, felled trees blocked commuter routes. County Council workers spent hours sawing through the trees to make the area passable.
In Newry two car owners had a lucky escape after the roof of a shopping mall blew off and landed smack bang on their cars.
The police tweeted:
Car park in front of Saver & Argos closed as a result of wind blowing roof off nearby building, take care it's windy! pic.twitter.com/DMHovANyuW
— PSNI Newry & Mourne (@PSNINewry) October 21, 2014
What was left of Hurricane Gonzalo was nothing compared to the havoc wrought in Bermuda where there was widespread damage and a power blackout. Thousands of trees were uprooted and the holiday island’s hospital was damaged.
Comments