Storm ‘Bram’ has caused flooding, travel disruption and widespread power outages, with Co Tipperary among the counties affected, as high winds and heavy rain lashed the country.
Some 25,000 homes and businesses were still without electricity last night, with significant outages reported in parts of Tipperary, (villages of Borrisoleigh, Holycross, Littleton), Cork, Wexford, Limerick and Kildare. ESB Networks crews worked into the evening to restore supply where it was safe to do so, but in rural pockets of Tipperary many customers were warned they may remain without power overnight.
Winds reached 113km/h at Roches Point in Cork, and Status Yellow wind warnings were in place for Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo until midnight. Earlier nationwide alerts had highlighted particular risks for inland counties including Tipperary, where saturated ground increased the likelihood of fallen trees and localised flooding.
Throughout the day there were multiple reports of flooding and downed trees, particularly in the south and south midlands where the storm first made landfall. In Co Tipperary, emergency crews responded to incidents of blocked roads and spot flooding on routes into Thurles, Clonmel and Nenagh, with motorists urged to exercise extreme caution.
Rail and bus disruption also affected Tipperary commuters. Services at Waterford train station were suspended for a time due to tidal flooding on the line but later resumed, while knock-on delays were reported on services linking Waterford with Tipperary towns. The Department of Education confirmed that while the vast majority of schools opened as scheduled, around 70 schools — predominantly in coastal areas in the west — chose to close. Several schools in Co Tipperary reported reduced attendance due to power cuts, blocked roads and safety concerns for school transport.
Air and sea travel were also badly hit as Storm Bram moved across the country. A number of flights were cancelled at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports, with further delays reported. Ferry sailings on a number of routes were cancelled due to adverse sea conditions, and passengers were advised to check with their operators for the latest information and details of alternative sailings.
At Dublin Airport, more than 100 flights were cancelled. Media Relations Manager at daa, Graeme McQueen, said Storm Bram had “a significant impact” on operations, with challenging crosswinds making it impossible to land or depart for extended periods during the afternoon. While winds eased considerably after 7pm and operations resumed, passengers were warned of possible ongoing disruption to schedules, particularly on early-morning services, as airlines work to reposition aircraft and crew.
Local authorities, emergency services and utility crews in Co Tipperary and across the region are expected to continue clean-up and repair operations today, with motorists and the public advised to remain cautious of debris, surface water and lingering power outages as the impact of Storm Bram is assessed.
Leave a Reply