Storm Bert has unleashed a wave of severe weather across Northern Ireland, prompting a yellow warning for high winds. As heavy rain and gusty winds battered the region, residents in counties Down and Tyrone faced significant flooding, leaving many homes affected.
The wind warning is set to remain in effect until 18:00 today, raising concerns about potential travel disruptions and power outages. At the height of the storm on Saturday, 6,500 homes and businesses were without electricity, according to Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE). Additionally, rail services experienced delays, particularly impacting routes between Belfast and Dublin due to flooding.
The Met Office forecasted sustained winds of 45 to 55 mph, with gusts potentially reaching 65 mph on Sunday. Ballypatrick in County Antrim recorded the highest wind speed at 67 mph over the weekend.
The impact of Storm Bert extended beyond Northern Ireland, as Met Éireann issued a status yellow wind alert for several counties in the Republic of Ireland. This alert will commence at 08:00 local time and affect counties such as Clare, Kerry, and Galway until 19:00 on Sunday. In Leitrim, Mayo, and Sligo, the warning will last until 02:00 on Monday, while Donegal’s alert remains active until 08:00.
Authorities have cautioned residents about hazardous travel conditions due to fallen trees and debris. On Saturday, red alerts for heavy rainfall were issued in west Cork and west Galway, indicating an urgent need for caution.
During the peak of Storm Bert’s fury, approximately 60,000 ESB customers in the Republic of Ireland experienced power outages.
Weather presenter Barra Best reported that parts of Northern Ireland received more than half a month’s average rainfall over just one weekend. For instance, Derrylin in County Fermanagh recorded 65.2 mm of rain between Friday evening and early Sunday morning—equivalent to 53% of Northern Ireland’s typical monthly total for November.
Other areas weren’t spared either; Altnahinch Filters in County Antrim and Murlough in County Down reported 58 mm each—about 47% of the expected monthly average.
As Storm Bert continues to wreak havoc across regions in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, flood warnings remain active throughout the UK. With severe weather patterns expected to persist, residents are urged to stay informed about ongoing conditions and heed safety advisories.
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