Storm Eunice winds cause Isle of Man travel and power disruption

BBC Waves breaking on Peel PromenadeBBC
Peel Promenade was closed as waves crashed on to the road at high tide

Gales brought by Storm Eunice have caused travel disruption and left hundreds of homes without power on the Isle of Man.

Daytime ferry crossings between Douglas and Heysham, Lancashire, were cancelled.

Flights between the island and Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol and Edinburgh were scrapped.

About 300 homes in the west were left without electricity after power lines were brought down by a tree.

Manx Utilities said power had now been restored to all of the houses affected in the Glen Maye, Dalby and Patrick areas.

An amber weather warning for gusts of up to 75mph (120km/h) has now come to an end.

However, gales are set to continue into the evening, and weather warnings remain in place across the UK.

BEACH BUDDIES Fallen tree at Glen MayeBEACH BUDDIES
A fallen tree brought down overhead power lines in the west of the island

The A18 Mountain Road was closed on Thursday night "as a precaution" and had remained shut for most of Friday, the government said.

Strong coastal winds led to the closure of Peel Promenade and breakwater in the west, and Shore Road, Gansey, and Castletown Promenade in the south as waves broke on to the shore at high tide.

Dalby Road, from its junction with Patrick Road to Shoulder and Roundtable Roads, and Glen Mooar Road near St Johns were closed due to fallen trees.

Trees brought down by the gales also caused disruption for motorists on the Ballamodha, and falling slates led to the closure of the footpath outside the Station pub in Port Erin.

The Isle of Man Post Office said only priority mail would be delivered so staff can "stay safe while the storm is at it's worst".

The vehicle and drivers trade counter and sorting office counter in Braddan and the northern delivery office in Ramsey were closed until 16:00, a spokesman said.

Police also urged people to avoid unnecessary travel.

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