Storm force winds bring widespread disruption

Storm force winds brought by Storm Darragh have caused widespread disruption to travel with all flights, ferries and buses suspended.

An amber weather warning was put in place across the Isle of Man for gusts of up to 80mph (129km/h) until midnight, with the south and south-west coast most at risk.

People were urged to only drive if essential as the infrastructure department dealt with more than 50 fallen trees, some of which brought power lines down.

Bus Vannin suspended its services on safety grounds, and the Isle of Man Airport was closed for the day with all flights cancelled.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet previously confirmed that sailings of the flagship vessel Manxman between Douglas and Liverpool would not go ahead.

After several reviews of the conditions throughout the day, Bus Vannin said suspending all services was a "difficult decision" that had "been made for the right reasons" to keep drivers and passengers safe.

The winds also caused some disruption to electricity supplies, with Manx Utilities (MU) dealing with several issues.

Places affected were the Santon and St Marks area, Dreemskerry Hill in Maughold, south Cape in Laxey, Ballawhetstone in Ballabeg, the Abbeylands area in Onchan, and Trollaby Lane and the adjacent areas in Union Mills.

MU said vulnerable people would be prioritised for reconnection, which meant some other homes could remain without power until Sunday.

The A18 Mountain Road remained open during the day to all but high-sided vehicles, but closed overnight from 17:30 GMT.

The Department of Infrastructure said, with so many trees down, its focus was on clearing arterial routes first, which could mean other roads were "not cleared as quickly", with some closed overnight.

Roads blocked or partially obstructed by fallen trees included Johnny Watterson's Lane, Harcroft Meadow and Pevril Road in Douglas, the area of Fairy Bridge, the entrance to the Snugborough trading estate in Union Mills, part of the Ballamodha Straight, The Hope in St John's, and the road between the Poortown Road and Tynwald Mills.

Colby Glen Road, Castletown Road in Port St Mary, the Peel to Kirk Michael Cost Road, the road between Crosby and the Braaid Crossroads, New Road in Laxey and the Patrick Road were also blocked.

The department said the tree on the Patrick Road could not be removed on Saturday, which mean the stretch of carriageway would remain closed overnight.

The Isle of Man Constabulary said it had also received early reports of damage to a roof in the vicinity of the Brown Bobby in Douglas, and a shed having been blown into a vehicle on Harbour Road in Onchan.

A yellow weather warning for coastal overtopping at high tide was also in place until 17:00 after a warning for heavy rain that ran until 12:00, which Ronaldsway Met Office said posed a threat of standing water on roads and localised flooding "in prone areas".

Several community and sporting events across the island were called off due to the conditions, including all Isle of Man Football Association fixtures, and the Curraghs Wildlife Park, Manx Museum and House of Manannan remained closed all day.

Although the first leg of the Isle of Man Young Farmers Christmas Tractor Run went ahead on Friday, Saturday's second outing was postponed until Sunday as a result of the storm.

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