Storm Barra: Severe gales cancel Manx ferries and close roads

Rebecca Odessa Queen's Promenade in Ramsey flooded by wavesRebecca Odessa
Queen's Promenade in Ramsey was flooded by waves

Severe gales brought by Storm Barra have caused a flurry of travel disruption across the Isle of Man.

Ronaldsway Airport was closed until Wednesday morning after high winds caused structural damage to the terminal roof.

All of Tuesday's ferry services between the Isle of Man and Lancashire were also cancelled.

And powerful waves destroyed a wall on Douglas Promenade and left parts of the Sunken Gardens flooded.

Wall knocked down by waves
A wall on Douglas Promenade was knocked down by the force of the water

Fallen trees have blocked several roads around the island, and the A18 Mountain Road was shut from Lheaney Road, in Ramsey, to the Creg Ny Baa Back Road due to snow and wintry conditions.

The blustery conditions also led to the closure of the Covid testing centre on Glencrutchery Road in Douglas.

A spokesman for Manx Care said appointments would be rescheduled at the earliest available opportunity.

DAVID RIELLY Damage to roof of property in RamseyDAVID RIELLY
The high winds took part of the roof off a property in Laxey

The island was hit by strong winds throughout the afternoon, with gusts reaching up to 80mph (129km/h) at both Castletown and Douglas breakwaters.

Various coastal roads were closed around the time of high tide as waves washed debris onshore in Douglas, Ramsey and Laxey.

The Douglas Promenade Walkway has been closed since 19:00 on Monday in anticipation of the blustery weather.

IOM CONSTABULARY Fallen tree blocking roadIOM CONSTABULARY
Trees blocked several roads around the island
Flooded Sunken Gardens on Douglas Promenade
The Sunken Gardens on Douglas Promenade were left flooded by coastal overtopping
Presentational grey line

Why not follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and Twitter? You can also send story ideas to [email protected]