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Storm Barra: Thousands still without power in Ireland

PA Media Workers in County Cork try to clear a fallen tree from a roadPA Media
Trees brought down power lines and tree across Ireland

The effects of Storm Barra have been felt across the Republic of Ireland for a second day, with tens of thousands of people still without power.

Strong winds and heavy rain have continued to sweep across counties on the east and west coasts.

Electricity network operator ESB Networks has warned that some customers may be without power until Thursday.

As of Wednesday evening, more than 20,000 homes and businesses had no electricity due to the storm.

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Severe weather warnings for strong winds had been in place for eight counties, most of them coastal, including Dublin, Louth, Mayo, Sligo and Wicklow.

In County Donegal meteorologists recorded gusts of up to 120km/h (75mph).

Several hundred homes and businesses in Northern Ireland were also without power on Wednesday as a result of the weather.

On Tuesday the storm caused floods, power cuts and disruption to travel as well as damage to property and trees across Ireland.

Sherkin Island in County Cork recorded a wind gust of 135km/h (84mph) and an average wind speed of 111km/h (69mph) on Tuesday, just shy of its all-time record of 113km/h (70mph) in February 2014.

PAcemaker CarrickPAcemaker
Carrickfergus in County Antrim was among the places in Northern Ireland that felt the storm on Tuesday

In Northern Ireland the strongest recorded gust on Tuesday was 76mph (122km/h) at Orlock near Groomsport in County Down.

On the north coast 70mph (113km/h) gusts were recorded at Magilligan in County Londonderry.

A wall collapsed at Ballywalter Harbour in County Down, scaffolding collapsed on to a car in Londonderry and there were some reports of fallen trees.

Stormont's Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said the emergency payment scheme for people whose homes have been flooded had been activated.

Householders who have suffered severe inconvenience as a result of flooding can claim £1,000 to ensure their homes are made habitable as soon as possible.

Storm Barra is the second named storm this season, and came just 10 days after Storm Arwen struck on 26 November, causing disruption and three fatalities across the UK.