Killer storm lashes Ireland causing major damage

Severe rain and gale force winds lashed Ireland threatening to cause flooding on Sunday evening. Met Eireann (Irish Meteorological Services) has issued a warning of continued high gales throughout Monday.

Two people were killed when their bus crashed on the N17 road between Galway and Tuam. The accident occurred shortly after 8pm on Sunday when a bus carrying students from Limerick to Mary collided with a van. The crash has been blamed on the poor weather conditions.

The drivers of the vehicles, aged in their 30s and 60s were both pronounced dead at the scene. Ten other passengers were also injured.

The police have warned that difficult driving conditions, high gale force winds and risk of coastal flooding would continue throughout Monday.

The south and southeast of Ireland are still expected to be the worst affected as the tail of the United States, Hurricane Thomas bring a huge swell off the Atlantic coast measuring up to eight meters.

Meteorologist, Eoin Sherlock, told the Sunday Business Post that several factors were coinciding causing the stormy conditions.

He said “‘There will be gusts of up to 100 kilometres (62 miles) an hour, and between 25mm and 30mm of rain, but this is not excessive.

We are lucky in that October was a relatively dry month, so the ground is not saturated and I wouldn’t expect rivers to burst their banks. Coastal flooding could occur though, for a number of reasons.

‘‘The strong winds, combined with low pressure, suck up water on the surface of the ocean, and the new moon means we have higher tides.

‘‘This means the water is a few centimetres higher than normal, and the extra high waves in the Atlantic can lead to a storm surge," he said.

Although some inland areas experienced flooding due to blocked drains, on Sunday night Met Eireann said high seas would be the main cause for concern throughout Monday.

Low lying areas in Dublin, such as Sandymount and Clontarf continue to be at risk as high-tide arrives at midday. The areas have been protected by 500 one-tonne sand bags by Dublin City Council and the Army.

The council have also said St John’s Road East, Gilford Road and Avenue, Lea Road, New Grove Avenue and Seafort Avenue would be closed until midday on Tuesday. Clontarf and Sandymont car parks will also remain closed. They also warned that they may close the Coast Road at Clontarf, from Alfie Byrne Road to Watermill Road.