Ireland

Storm Brendan: Errant trampolines cause traffic and rail delays as storm gathers bounce

Waves crash along the Causeway coast as high winds mark Storm Brendan's arrival in the north. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin 
Waves crash along the Causeway coast as high winds mark Storm Brendan's arrival in the north. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin  Waves crash along the Causeway coast as high winds mark Storm Brendan's arrival in the north. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin 
By Digital staff and PA

A trampoline was blown onto the railway line at Finaghy, as Storm Brendan continues to batter Ireland.

NI Railways said it was being removed but some delays may be experienced.

A video of a trampoline on a busy motorway was also shared on social media. It was spotted in the middle of the M7 near Limerick and the video shared on social media by Michael Finnan. 

Fallen trees and floods have closed roads, according to TrafficwatchNI and part of a sea wall has collapsed in Carrickfergus, closing part of the Belfast Road.

5.30pm update

At 5.30pm a ban on high sided vehicles using the Foyle Bridge in Derry remained in place. The following roads are closed, predominantly due to fallen trees:

Co Antrim

  • Cockhill Road  
  • C63 Ballgarvey Road
  • U2032 Dans Road 
  • B53 Kilgad Road
  • Old Golf Course Road coming from Blacks Road in Belfast is passable with care

Co Down

  • B176 Killough Road, Downpatrick 
  • A1 Hillsborough Road is closed in both directions from Lagan Valley Hospital to Ravarnet Road. This road was reopened at around 6pm
  • Manse Road, Carryduff close to 87 Church Road
  • Downpatrick: The A22 Killyleagh Road at junction with A25 Strangford Road - country bound lane only blocked
  • Seaview in Warrenpoint closed in both directions
  • Newtownards - Portaferry Road closed between Old Shore Road through to Greyabbey 
  • Creightons Green Road, Holywood 
  • Moneyreagh Road, Ballygowan - approach with caution
  • A2 Ballagh Road, Newcastle (Newcastle to Kilkeel Road) 
  • B20 Crawfordsburn Road, Belfast-bound, passable with care.

Co Derry

  • Claudy: U1215 Heathfield Road closed between B74 Glenshane Road to the junction with the U1215 Gortilea Road due to debris being blown onto the road from a nearby agricultural building 

Co Armagh

  • Bulls Hill, Newry
  • C187 Tullysaran Road, Armagh. Tree removed. Embankment slip will be cleared tomorrow
  • A51 Hamiltonsbawn Road, Armagh near Stockingmanshill Road, Armagh. Roads operatives on site
  • C185 Artasooly Road, Armagh, Roads operatives will attend asap
Waves crash along the Causeway coast as high winds mark Storm Brendan's arrival in the north. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin 
Waves crash along the Causeway coast as high winds mark Storm Brendan's arrival in the north. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin  Waves crash along the Causeway coast as high winds mark Storm Brendan's arrival in the north. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin 

Trains running on the Belfast to Bangor line were suspended due to a fallen tree at Carnalea.

Belfast International Airport told Belfast Live that six flights had been diverted. 

Power cuts were also suffered across Northern Ireland, mostly in the North East and some on the outskirts of south Belfast.

The National Trust has closed some of its properties, including Castle Ward and Mount Stewart, due to high winds.

The public and road users were advised to proceed with caution.

The Republic of Ireland was predicted to be worst hit as the storm sweeps across the country as well as Northern Ireland, with winds gusting up to 80mph (129kph).

ESB Networks said around 48,000 homes and businesses were without power on Monday afternoon, with the South West the worst-affected area.

Waves crash along the Causeway coast as high winds mark Storm Brendan's arrival in the north. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin 
Waves crash along the Causeway coast as high winds mark Storm Brendan's arrival in the north. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin  Waves crash along the Causeway coast as high winds mark Storm Brendan's arrival in the north. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin 

Coastal areas have seen high winds and waves, with the Irish Coast Guard strongly advising the public to stay away from exposed beaches, cliffs and piers during storm conditions.

Coastal flooding was reported across the country including in Tramore in Co Waterford, Skerries and Clontarf in Dublin and parts of Galway.

A spokesman for AA Roadwatch said: "Particular caution is advised on the coasts: a Status Red Marine Warning for gales is in place for all coastal waters, with a significant risk of coastal flooding.

"Watch out for wind-blown debris on the roads, and give extra space to vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. Strong cross-winds may affect control of your vehicle so slow down.

"Only drive through standing water if you're sure it's not too deep for your car."

 Waves in Whitehead, County Antrim, as Storm Brendan sweeps across Ireland and the UK with winds gusting up to 80mph. Photo taken with permission from the Twitter feed of @seasugarsweets
 Waves in Whitehead, County Antrim, as Storm Brendan sweeps across Ireland and the UK with winds gusting up to 80mph. Photo taken with permission from the Twitter feed of @seasugarsweets  Waves in Whitehead, County Antrim, as Storm Brendan sweeps across Ireland and the UK with winds gusting up to 80mph. Photo taken with permission from the Twitter feed of @seasugarsweets

Met Eireann has issued an orange wind warning for the entire country.

Head of forecasting Evelyn Cusack said there will be "several hours of very dangerous weather".

"Thankfully the storm centre is keeping out to the north-west of Ireland but we are going to get several hours of dangerous weather as that transfers across the country," she said.

A pier in Salthill, Ireland, as Storm Brendan sweeps across Ireland and the UK with winds gusting up to 80mph. Photo taken with permission from the Twitter feed of @GalwayWalks of a&nbsp;PA Photo.<br />&nbsp;
A pier in Salthill, Ireland, as Storm Brendan sweeps across Ireland and the UK with winds gusting up to 80mph. Photo taken with permission from the Twitter feed of @GalwayWalks of a PA Photo.
  A pier in Salthill, Ireland, as Storm Brendan sweeps across Ireland and the UK with winds gusting up to 80mph. Photo taken with permission from the Twitter feed of @GalwayWalks of a PA Photo.
 

Status Orange wind warnings have been issued for all counties, while gusts of up to 66mph (106kph) have been recorded in the West.

Ms Cusack told RTE Radio that pressure is falling rapidly in the West where winds are picking up and there is a risk of localised flooding, structural damage and uprooted trees.

Britain's Met Office has also issued a weather warning covering the next two days, warning of wind for much of the western half of the UK.

Storm Brendan is expected to plague Ireland until 9pm on Monday, bringing with it a significant risk of coastal flooding, while the warning of "a very windy period" is in force across the West of England, Scotland and Wales from 10am.

The east coast of Ireland will not escape the impact of the storm either, with winds of 40mph-50mph (64kph-80kph) possible.