Ireland suffered its latest battering from the elements yesterday as winds gusted to 70 m.p.h. in some parts of the country. Such was the force of the winds from the Atlantic that an Aer Lingus three-engined MD 11 jet took just five hours and three minutes to fly from New York to Shannon. The aircraft, carrying 260 passengers, was able to make a landing at Shannon despite the extreme winds, completing one of the fastest crossings this year.
Widespread flooding was reported around the country, and up to 7,000 properties were left without electricity as the blustery conditions which have beleaguered Ireland in recent weeks returned.
Just days after winds of 90 m.p.h. were recorded, Met Eireann forecasters cited climatological changes for the stormy conditions and warned of more inclement weather ahead. "Since the end of September we have had a series of depressions which have crossed the Atlantic and given us very strong winds on seven or eight occasions. It is very early in the winter for us to be getting this kind of weather," said a Met Eireann spokesman.
The early hours of yesterday saw some of the worst conditions, with winds gusting to 70 m.p.h. at Shannon Airport and similar winds hitting Belmullet during the night.
The west and mid-western parts of the country bore the brunt of the storms. Thousands of acres of farmland were flooded. At sea, gale-force winds almost reached storm force, said Met Eireann.
The stormy conditions caused the following disruption:
Co Limerick: Emergency services were called in when flooding reached a level of three feet on the main Shannon-Limerick road at Hurlers Cross yesterday morning.
Co Westmeath: In Athlone more than 1,000 premises on the Leinster side of town were left without power for most of the day. It was late yesterday evening before supplies were restored, with ESB electricians facing technical difficulties as they repaired the damage. An IFA spokesman in Co Longford said there had been widespread reports of flooding, particularly along the Shannon basin, which was causing problems for farmers already affected by fodder shortages in the area.
Co Dublin: The 9.45 a.m. Irish Ferries service from Dublin Port to Holyhead had to be cancelled. However, flight departures from Dublin Airport were unaffected.
Co Cork: There was flooding on minor roads in west Cork and in some parts of Co Kerry, including the Blackwater Valley area. The Swansea/Cork Ferry Co, which sails between Ringaskiddy and Pembroke in Wales, had suffered major disruption to its services since the weekend.
Co Donegal: Fishermen were the worst affected. Boats were tied up along the north and west coasts, many of which had been unable to go out in more than a fortnight. Stormy seas were meanwhile causing baby seals to become separated from their mothers.
Co Clare: About 3,000 homes across the county were left without power early yesterday, with the north and west areas worst affected.