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LAST UPDATE | 10 Feb 2020
A STATUS ORANGE wind warning is in place this morning for seven counties with the country preparing for a cold snap as Storm Ciara passes over Ireland.
Met Éireann issued the warning for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare and Kerry. It came into effect at 6am and will remain in place until 8pm this evening.
Met Éireann said a combination of spring tides and high seas would create “a significant risk of coastal flooding”.
A Status Yellow wind warning for the rest of the country, meanwhile, is in place until 8pm. A status yellow snow/ice warning kicked in at midnight last night and will remain in place for 48 hours.
“Widespread wintry showers on Monday and Tuesday with some snowfall accumulations, especially in the west and north. Some disruption to travel is possible, particularly over higher routes,” Met Éireann said.
The Road Safety Authority is advising road users to exercise extreme caution during the cold snap.
An estimated 3,000 homes and businesses were without power last night as the ESB works to restore power this morning.
Storm Ciara is forecast to bring westerly winds to coastal areas today with average speeds of 65km/h to 80km/h expected as well as gusts of up to 130km/h.
The National Parks & Wildlife Service has said the following locations are closed today due to the Status Orange wind warning:
A combination of spring high tides, high seas and stormy conditions lead to coastal flooding yesterday, particularly along western and north-western coasts.
In Co Clare, flooding was reported in Inagh, Kilrush and Kilnamona while the flooding in Ennistimon is understood to be severe.
In Limerick, there was flooding on the N69 between Robertstown and Foynes northbound and on the N22 at Clonkeen in Co Kerry.
The cold weather nationwide also resulted in snowfall in pockets of the country.
Carlow Weather / Twitter#sneachta has arrived on the hills above Carlow. Reports of snow in other parts too as colder air has moved in over Ireland. A yellow warning for snow/ice is in place for entire country until midnight tomorrow night. #StormCiara pic.twitter.com/IYNxAOhOGU
— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) February 10, 2020
trudi / Twitter
trudi / Twitter / Twitter
In Leinster, there was heavy flooding on the Nangor Road in Clondalkin Co Dublin and the AA reported excess surface water on the M9 northbound between J3 Athy and J4 Castledermot.
Meanwhile, charity for the elderly, Alone, urged older people to take extra care following the status orange weather warning issued by Met Éireann for parts of the west and north as Storm Ciara continues.
Seán Moynihan, CEO of Alone, said: “Following a status orange weather warning for the west and north of the country, we are calling on all members of the public to remember their older neighbours living alone and to consider their needs. We’re advising older people to be prepared by ensuring they have adequate heat, medication, food and to stay indoors where possible.”
He continued, “With some snow forecast, it is important that older people prioritise spending on heating and stay warm in the coming days.”
RNLI / TwitterIncredible @Hastingsrnli footage captured today by a member of public. Everyone onboard is safe and well. Casualty made it to shore. Thanks to your support our lifeboat crew receive the best training and lifeboats, to withstand these types of conditions. #PerfectStorm #StormCiara pic.twitter.com/Cvr9cHjv6L
— RNLI (@RNLI) February 9, 2020
Parts of the UK, meanwhile, are braced for blizzards and up to 20cm of snow in the wake of Storm Ciara, with travel disruption set to continue.
Some areas saw a month and a half’s rainfall in just 24 hours and gusts of more than 90 miles per hour swept across the country yesterday, bringing widespread flooding.
Thousands of people were left without power, some homes were evacuated, buildings were damaged and sporting occasions postponed.
Joe O'Neill / TwitterLots now in west wicklow pic.twitter.com/ac1PTTtc11
— Joe O'Neill (@TheGAAfarmer) February 10, 2020
Flights, ferries and trains all saw cancellations and delays, while drivers faced treacherous conditions with floodwater, fallen trees and other debris closing roads.
Storm Ciara also hit France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Denmark and Switzerland.
The storm was so violent that German rail operator Deutsche Bahn was forced to cancel many of its long-distance train services.
Several airports in Germany had to cancel flights as the storm swept in from the north.
About 240 flights to and from Amsterdam Schiphol, the third-busiest airport in Europe, were also cancelled, largely affecting KLM, British Airways, easyJet and Lufthansa services.
With reporting by Garreth MacNamee
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We had 6 horrible miscarriages before we were lucky enough to have our 4 and 5 year old – we have never forgotten them and they all counted to us.
touching story, makes me think how lucky some women are to get pregnant the first time and also how sad for those who run off to england to abort. funny old world
@hit not sure what abortion has to do with this story at all.
Think link is that in both cases child / foetus (depending on point of view) both die in womb. One through natural causes, one via medical procedure.
Poor pet is obsessed with the choices that women he doesn’t even know have to make ..
Don’t you DARE hijack this
I know of a couple who really want a child. they are happily married have tired many times. it was so sad to hear their newborn passed away in their arms. she had a miscarriage and alot other compactions along the way…
They never gave up. she is pregnant with twins now and i wish them the very best with everything. you have people out there who are selfish dont care about having kids or think its Ok to have an abortion for the sake of it… Crazy world we live in.
and you have people sitting around judging complete strangers and manipulating their story for their own benefit, it’s a crazy world Byyys, but you’re not making it any better.
congratulations that’s gonna be one rich baby
Why was my comment deleted? It doesn’t contravene the comments policy in the slightest. Censorship that’s all it is.
Because someone is applying common sense for you. Just because you can say something doesn’t mean that you should say it.
Have a bit of dignity and wait for a more appropriate article to discuss that subject on.
” In our ultrasound, she even gave me a thumbs up “like” with her hand, so I’m already convinced she takes after me.”
Even when discussing a child in the womb his main interest is in promoting his business.
Disgusting attitude.
Having lost five pregnancies myself, I think it’s a very positive thing for people to speak about it. Pregnancy loss can be a very isolating experience. It’s a loss that many people feel should be buried and not grieved. I say fair play to them for being open and honest about their experiences.
Ffs…is nothing sacred?…tellin aint sellin. Too Much Information. Sorry for their pain/losses/grief…but, really, a letter in the public domain?
Lovely irish attitute, you can celebrate the birth of your child, only after the 4th one, until then speak no more just in case.
ya, how dare they reach out and tell their story to give hope to others in a similar situation positive, how bloody dare they! As humans we’re here to keep each other going when it’s tough not to make it harder
have your say