*Clare County Council crews preparing to safeguard Lahinch from Storm Barra.
CLARE is bracing itself for the arrival of Storm Barra with a status red wind warning in place for the county.
From 4pm on Tuesday (today) until 6am on Wednesday morning, Clare is under a status red wind warning as issued by Met Éireann.
As ever, The Clare Echo will keep our readers informed during the forecasted extreme weather event. Contact us via email – news@clareecho.ie or by phone 065 671 9021 if any power outages or road blockages are caused by Storm Barra in your area. Send us your photos and videos to any of our social media pages too.
10:00 – Normal services have resumed at Shannon Airport today, following Storm Barra, with the airport expecting to operate its full flight schedule. Commenting on conditions at the airport today a Shannon Airport spokesperson said: “Our first flight, a Ryanair service to Krakow, departed at 7.32 am this morning and we expect to operate a normal schedule today. Storm Barra brought severe gusts to the airport yesterday and the Ryanair Malaga service cancelled as a result, is now rescheduled to depart at 10.10am this morning.”
00:21 – An approximate 3720 homes and businesses remain without power across Co Clare. The biggest outage is in Miltown Malbay and Spanish Point. Other areas impacted; Ballyea, Cahercalla, Cranny, Drumquin, Ennis, Ennistymon, Kilmihil, Kilkee, Kilrush and Loop Head.
23:11 – Up to 37 households are without power in Ennis North between Maurice’s Mills and Corofin. Expected return is at 17:00 on Wednesday.
21:14 – High winds reported in Clonlara. Similar conditions across South Clare where no major damage has been recorded.
20:45 – More than 38,000 homes, farms and businesses across the country are without power this evening. ESB Networks’ crews are continuing to work late into the night to restore power, where safe to do so, to as many customers as possible.
Unfortunately, some customers will remain without electricity overnight. As weather alerts remain active further damage to the electricity network can be expected as the storm tracks along the West and Northwest.
ESB are advising all those impacted by outages that they should prepare to be without electricity overnight and into tomorrow, with some customers potentially without power beyond that. It is very important that any customers who use electrically powered medical devices to contact their healthcare professional to make alternative arrangements if necessary.
ESB Networks crews will deploy again before first light tomorrow to continue restoration works as weather warnings and conditions on the ground enable safe working.
ESB Networks reminds the public that if you come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network, never, ever touch or approach these as they are LIVE and extremely dangerous.
19:42 – A tree has fallen at the bottom of Corkscrew Hill in Ballyvaughan. Members of the public are advised to remain indoors for the duration of the Status Red wind warning.
19:02 – The Armada Hotel in Spanish Point have said “while our doors have been closed so much this year, we want to let you all know for anyone who might need support this evening with the power outage and conditions in the area. Our generator will keep our lights on and a kettle boiled, the fire is lit too, and a warm bed if needed. We aren’t open for regular trade today just anyone who is in situation of need please contact us. On 0657079000”.
18:55 – Shannon Airport is expecting disruption to its services this evening due to Storm Barra.
A spokesperson for Shannon Airport said: “While the Ryanair inbound Gatwick service arrived safely at Shannon at 2.40pm, there are flight cancellations due to this evening due to the severity of Storm Barra. With severe gusts currently being experienced at Shannon Airport, the following Ryanair flights have been cancelled – the Malaga service due to depart Shannon at 5.15pm, the London Stansted inbound and outbound services this evening, while the inbound Tenerife flight due to arrive at Shannon at 4.25pm diverted to Dublin. In addition, Aer Lingus services from and to Heathrow Airport scheduled for this evening have been cancelled”.
Earlier in the day two flights bound for Cork Airport from Stansted and Birmingham diverted to Shannon Airport. “As storm Barra could potentially continue to impact Co. Clare early tomorrow, we would advise Intending passengers for early morning flights to contact their airline before travelling to the airport. Flight information will be posted on all Shannon Airport social media platforms and the airport website as it becomes available,” said the spokesperson.
18:50 – High tide expected between 19:00 and 19:30 when the entire Clare coast will feel the brunt of Storm Barra. Memories of Storm Christine in January 2014 have been evoked throughout North and West Clare. “The rock armour has gone in, it will be interesting when the high tide comes in whether it will hold up, it will be its first real test,” Paddy Murphy owner of The 19th Bar in Lahinch.
18:47 – Gardaí in Kilrush say they have been inundated with calls about trees and power lines being down.
18:42 – Within the past hour, an electrical fault has been reported in Cahercalla, Ennis. Approximately 41 households are impacted by this. Supply not due to return until 15:45 on Wednesday.
18:38 – A tree is down in St Joseph’s Terrace in Clarecastle, movement affected as a result.
18:34 – Parts of Ballyea, Drumquin and Tiermaclane are now without electricity. ESB expect the fault will not be fixed until 16:00 on Wednesday.
18:30 – Gusts of 130km/h have been recorded at Shannon Airport, in West Clare winds recorded are upwards of 130km/h.
17:45 – All Clare schools will remain shut tomorrow (Wednesday), the Department of Education have confirmed. “The Department is advising that all schools that are currently or forecast to be in a Red or Orange alert area should remain closed tomorrow, 8th December. This includes counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Limerick, Clare, Galway, Mayo and Wexford”.
17:16 – Three power outages presently in Miltown Malbay. ESB are hopeful to have these resolved before midnight. A total of 2,506 customers are affected here including households and businesses.
17:15 – Footage from Kildysart earlier today from Ronan Casey.
The Quay in Kildysart earlier today following heavy rainfall.
📹: Ronan Casey#StormBarra https://t.co/qFvAxHkciY pic.twitter.com/G3apqWpFId
— The Clare Echo (@ClareEcho) December 7, 2021
17:10 – Winds are getting stronger in Sixmilebridge and other parts of South-East Clare.
17:03 – Some farm sheds have collapsed in Bealaha as winds begin to pick up in West Clare.
16:49 – Met Éireann have a status red storm warning from Roche’s Point to Loop Head to Rossan Point. West to northwest winds will reach violent storm force 11 on Irish coastal waters from Roches Point to Loop Head to Rossan Point.
16:40 – Up to 155 households and businesses in Kilkee are without power. ESB have given varying estimated return times of 16:30, 21:15 and 21:30 for the areas affected.
16:35 – In Kilrush, some large branches are down on Tolar St. A pole near Brew’s Bridge on the Shanakyle Rd has tipped over but has not fallen yet.
14:16 – The Sports Bar in Newmarket-on-Fergus will not open today in the interest of safety. It will reopen tomorrow Wednesday at 4pm.
14:12 – Senator Martin Conway (FG) has said outdoor enthusiasts must not hinder the efforts of emergency services with reckless and dangerous behaviour during Storm Barra. He said, “Storm Barra poses life-threatening dangers to the public and officials have advised that outside areas and travel should be avoided in red/orange wind warning counties”.
He recalled the storms of 2014 in Lahinch, “millions of euros have been invested since that time in coastal protection and flood defence works, including Rock armour. We are better protected now, and it remains essential people act responsibly and keep themselves and others safe.
“When that weather emergency occurred, our emergency services had to spend valuable time keeping social media enthusiasts and amateur photographers safe. There were incidences of water thrill-seekers also taking reckless chances by putting their lives in danger but also endangering the lives of our emergency services. Our frontline rescue workers will have enough to deal with over the coming days in doing their best to keep us safe, without having to deal with people who engage in this reckless and mindless behaviour. I would call on people to respect the efforts of our rescue services by staying at home and heeding the warnings that are in place,” Senator Conway concluded.
14:05 – Sandbags in place along the Quay in Clarecastle and along the Strand Line in Kilkee. Extra sandbags are outside the council compound at the Well Road Car Park, behind Marine Parade in Kilkee, “please take only what you need,” said Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF).
14:02 – Wind is picking up in Labasheeda. “Very windy and stormy,” one resident has informed our newsroom. Contact us via news@clareecho.ie, across our social media channels or on 065 671 9021.
13:49 – All outpatient appointments at UL Hospitals Group and all appointments at the Covid-19 vaccination centres in the Mid-West have been cancelled for the rest of today, Tuesday, due to Storm Barra. This decision is effective from 2pm on December 7th and follows a meeting of the MidWest Area Crisis Management Team.
The affected hospitals are; University Hospital Limerick, University Maternity Hospital Limerick, Ennis Hospital, Nenagh Hospital, St John’s Hospital and Croom Orthopaedic Hospital
The affected vaccination centres are: Limerick (Scoil Carmel), Ennis (Ennis Hospital) and Nenagh (Abbey Court Hotel).
Anybody with a hospital outpatient appointment or vaccination appointment after 2pm is requested not to travel and their appointment will be rescheduled as soon as possible. We regret this disruption in service but this decision is being taken in the interests of patient and staff safety as travel conditions are expected to be hazardous later this afternoon and into this evening.
Affected patients are being contacted directly by the hospital.
At this point, UL Hospitals Group expect that all scheduled care at our hospitals and appointments at our vaccination centre will operate as normal from Wednesday morning, December 8th. This is subject to an assessment of any storm damage.
The Emergency Department at UHL, Injury Units at Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s and Medical Assessment Units (GP referral) at UHL, Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s will operate as normal. The Maternity Emergency Unit at University Maternity Hospital Limerick will also continue to operate on a 24-hour basis.
Injury units in Ennis and Nenagh are open from 8am to 8pm, and in St John’s from 8am to 7pm, seven days a week.
“We have put in place arrangements to ensure the continuation of essential services for chemotherapy and dialysis patients as well as those coming in for urgent surgery. We are working closely with HSE MidWest Community Healthcare, the National Ambulance Service, An Garda Siochana and Limerick City and County Council on the response to this adverse weather warning. UL Hospitals Group management will continue to closely monitor the developing situation throughout the day,” a spokesperson outlined.
13:04 – Winds in Clare likely to peak later this evening at approximately 17:00/18:00.
12:18 – A spokesperson for Shannon Airport confirmed that two Ryanair flights due to land at Cork Airport this morning diverted to Shannon Airport. Flight FR901 from Stansted to Cork and FR3738 from Birmingham to Cork diverted to Shannon, both landing safely at a 9.10am and 11.15am respectively. Passengers from Stansted were transferred by bus to Cork and transfer arrangements are awaited for Birmingham passengers.
“The Ryanair Shannon to Gatwick service took off on schedule at 10.55am, an earlier flight from Shannon to Tenerife took off at 7.21am. Aer Lingus services from and to Heathrow Airport scheduled for later this afternoon (EI 385 and EI386) have been cancelled due to the expected severity of Storm Barra.
“There have been no further confirmed flight cancellations yet, and we are awaiting updates from our airlines. However, as a status RED weather warning for County Clare is due to come into effect at 4.00pm today, we strongly advise intending passengers to check with their airline before travelling to the airport. Flight information will be posted on all Shannon Airport social media platforms and the airport website as it becomes available.”
12:05 – Cllr Mary Howard (FG) is encouraging the people to Clare to check in on their friends and neighbours over the phone. “We’re asking people to stay safe and stay indoors but we are also asking people to pick up the phone and talk to their neighbours, charge the phones before the outage, we haven’t had the worst of the storm yet,” she said at this morning’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District.
10:50 – Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Ann Norton (IND) has appealed to the public to stay safe while speaking at this morning’s Ennis MD meeting. “We know we’re in the middle of Storm Barra, be safe and try stay indoors if at all possible”.
10:45 – Both Lees Rd and Active Ennis Leisure Centre are closed to the public all day (Tuesday), Clare County Council have confirmed.
09:40 – Kilrush Credit Union will close at 12:30pm.
08:41 -All routine mental health service appointments across Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary are cancelled today, as a result of Storm Barra. These include CAMHS appointments, adult and specialist services. Mental health teams will be in touch with patients to advise. The crisis service remains operational through the Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick.
08:39 – Shannon Airport’s first scheduled flight of the day, a Ryanair flight to Tenerife departed Shannon Airport this morning at 7.21am. However, Aer Lingus services from and to Heathrow Airport scheduled for later this afternoon (EI 385 and EI386) have been cancelled due to the expected severity of storm Barra. “There have been no further confirmed flight cancellations yet, and we are awaiting updates from our airlines. However, as a status RED weather warning for County Clare is due to come into effect today, we strongly advise intending passengers to check with their airline before travelling to the airport. Flight information will be posted on all Shannon Airport social media platforms and the airport website as it becomes available.”
08:34 – HSE Mid West Primary Care Health Centres in the following locations in Co Clare will close today at 12.00 due to the status Red Weather warning issued by Met Éireann. They are; Shannon Health Centre, Sixmilebridge Health Centre, Scariff Health Centre, Tulla Health Centre, Ennis Health Centre, Kilmaley Health Centre, Clarecastle Health Centre, Ennistymon Health Centre, Lisdoonvarna Health Centre, Ballyvaughan Medical Centre (HSE Services), Kilrush Health Centre, Kilmihil Health Centre and Miltown Malbay Health Centre. Services scheduled for before 12:00hrs will be provided as scheduled.
08:29 – The Fire Service are dealing with trees down in various locations including Bodyke, Ballinahinch, Ballycasey and the Broadford Road out of Scarriff.
08:10 – Power outages currently in Cratloe and Kilkee. Over 1,604 homes and businesses in the county impacted so far.
07:45 – Gusts of 81km/h recorded at Met Éireann’s Shannon weather station so far this morning.
Education:
All primary and secondary schools in Co Clare will be shut on Tuesday.
The Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS) will close three of its six campuses this evening from 10pm and they will remain closed tomorrow Tuesday, December 7, 2021 on the advice of the Department of Further and Higher Education. The LSAD, Clare Street Campus, Limerick; Moylish Campus, Limerick; and the Ennis Campus, Co. Clare will remain closed until Wednesday December 8.
Mary Immaculate College’s Limerick campus and its facilities will be closed on Tuesday. Staff and students should operate online in the interim and monitor their emails for further updates.
Further to advice received from the Department of Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science this evening (Monday 6 December 2021), GMIT has announced that all campuses in Galway and Mayo will be closed tomorrow (Tuesday 7 December 2021) due to Storm Barra. All planned online activities and remote working will continue as scheduled. The President of GMIT, Dr Orla Flynn, informed staff and students of the decision this evening (Mon 6 Dec), urging everyone to stay safe over the coming days.
COVID-19 Testing:
Due to the forecast impact of Storm Barra, there will be no COVID-19 testing conducted on Tuesday, December 7th in the three Test Centres operated by HSE Mid West Community Healthcare, namely, Ennis COVID-19 Testing Centre, Ballymaley Business Park, Ennis, Co. Clare, Nenagh COVID-19 Testing Centre, Old Castlebrand Factory, Tyone, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, Limerick COVID-19 Testing Centre, Eastpoint Business Park, Ballysimon Road, Limerick.
People who have already booked appointments or have been allocated appointments for tomorrow will be contacted via text message and offered new times for their tests on Wednesday, December 8th.
Ennis Hospital:
Outpatient appointments and vaccination clinics are being cancelled in Ennis Hospital from 2pm this Tuesday, December 7th.
Some elective procedures will take placeif patients can be safely discharged by 2pm. Procedures taking place later in the day will be postponed. Patients are being contacted directly by the hospital to confirm if their procedure is going ahead or not.
The Emergency Department at UHL, Injury Units at Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s and Medical Assessment Units at UHL, Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s will operate as normal. The Maternity Emergency Unit at University Maternity Hospital Limerick will also continue to operate on a 24-hour basis. Injury units in Ennis and Nenagh are open from 8am to 8pm, and in St John’s from 8am to 7pm, seven days a week.
UL Hospitals Group is working closely with HSE MidWest Community Healthcare, National Ambulance Service, An Garda Siochana, Limerick City and County Council on the response to this adverse weather warning. UL Hospitals Group management will continue to closely monitor the developing situation.Affected patients will be notified as soon as possible about a rescheduled date.
Mental Health Services:
All routine mental health service appointments across Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary are cancelled today, as a result of Storm Barra.
These include CAMHS appointments, adult and specialist services. Mental health teams will be in touch with patients to advise
The crisis service remains operational through the Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick
Transport:
A spokesperson for Shannon Airport said: “The first scheduled flight of the day, a Ryanair flight to Tenerife departed Shannon Airport this morning at 7.21am. However, Aer Lingus services from and to Heathrow Airport scheduled for later this afternoon (EI 385 and EI386) have been cancelled due to the expected severity of storm Barra. “There have been no further confirmed flight cancellations yet, and we are awaiting updates from our airlines. However, as a status RED weather warning for County Clare is due to come into effect today, we strongly advise intending passengers to check with their airline before travelling to the airport. Flight information will be posted on all Shannon Airport social media platforms and the airport website as it becomes available.”
All Local Link services in Clare have been suspended.
Bus Éireann will be running reduced services as a result of Storm Barra. Services 333, 336, 341, 343 & 343x, 345 will operate in Clare until 1pm and will be cancelled for the remainder of the day.
Council Offices:
Due to the combination of forecasted weather events, the offices and facilities of Clare County Council, including civic amenity sites and digital hubs, will be closed on Tuesday, 7th December.
Courts:
Courts across the county will not open. Cases are to be adjourned with details to be shared via courts.ie. Sittings in the Killaloe District Court, Ennis Circuit Family Law Court and Ennis District Special Family Law Court are among those impacted.
Banking:
Due to Storm Barra and the red weather warning issued for Cork, Clare and Kerry, Bank of Ireland branches in those counties will remain closed on Tuesday 7th December. “The safety of our customers and colleagues is our top priority. Given the latest weather alerts we have taken the decision not to open branches in Cork, Clare and Kerry on Tuesday 7th December”.
AIB have also confirmed that their branches across Co Clare will close.
Shannon and Ennis’ Ulster Bank branches will be closed all day on Tuesday.
Fitness:
Ennis based Hustle Fitness are to close their doors from 2pm on Tuesday.
Newly opened Sixmilebridge gym, Morey Movement will be closed all day on Tuesday.
East Clare Fitness have cancelled all sessions in Scariff and Kilkishen on Tuesday. “We do not want to risk the safety of any clients or staff. We hope to return to sessions as normal on Wednesday morning”.
Aldi:
All of Aldi’s stores in Clare are closed from 3pm on Tuesday until 9am on Wednesday morning. “We are monitoring the weather situation closely and if there are any changes we will communicate this. The health and safety of all our customers and store teams is our priority,” a spokesperson outlined.
