Storm Debi – live: London weather warning extended as Met Office warns of lightning damage to buildings
Yellow warnings currently in place as blustering winds and flooding wreak havoc across UK
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms, heavy rain and severe gale-force wings has been extended across London and southern England, as Storm Debi continues to batter parts of the UK.
The Met Office has warned of potential damage to buildings from lightning strikes or strong winds, as well as a chance of power cuts, and possible travel disruption and delays.
In its update on Tuesday, the forecaster said the warning area has been adjusted to focus on southern and southeast England, with the end time delayed until mid-afternoon. The warning has been in place since 5am and was supposed to run until midday but has now been extended to 3pm.
It comes as multiple “danger to life” weather warnings were issued across the country on Monday.
High winds and rain from Storm Debi were causing road closures and disruption to public transport across Northern Ireland, as the Met Office warned of “danger to life” from flying debris, “fast flowing or deep floodwater”, and large waves in some areas.
Strong winds have also been recorded in the region on Tuesday morning, with the highest reaching 74mph at Killowen in Co Down.
Huge swathes of Galway left underwater as Storm Debi strikes last night
At least six people were rescued in Galway as Storm Debi made landfall causing significant damage to Ireland.
Galway is currently under a Status Orange wind warning until 10am this morning.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Galway County Council chief fire officer Gerry O’Malley said there is “considerable damage” around the city and county.
Storm Debi knocks out power for 100,000 people
100,000 people were left without power supply on Monday morning as Storm Debi batters Ireland.
Brian Tapley, of ESB Networks, said crews expect to be working “late into the night” to restore power.
He said the worst affected areas are Tuam, Longford, the Midlands, Ashbourne and Navan.
He told RTE radio: “As soon as it is safe to do so, we will be deploying our crews.
“Obviously, the storm is still impacting different parts of the country so we’ll be slow to send out crews until it is safe to do so, but any emergency calls are being attended to.
A gust of 115kph was recorded at a Met Eireann weather station in Athenry, Co Galway, on Monday morning.
Storm Debi branded ‘Most intense storm so far’ - Irish official
The Irish national director for fire and emergency management has said Storm Debi is “probably the most intense storm” of the season so far.
Keith Leonard said: “It was probably the high winds of that leading edge of the storm as it came across the country that was the most hazardous piece. So probably the most intense storm we’ve had so far in the season.”
He said there is a “general trend” of coastal flooding, for example in Galway City and Oranmore.
He told RTE radio: “But, thankfully, not too much structural damage being reported at the moment.”
In pictures: Storm Babet wreaked havoc across country last month
Scale of the damage will be clearer in daylight, says minister
Junior minister Patrick O’Donovan has said the scale of the damage in Ireland caused by Storm Debi will be clearer when it is brighter.
Mr O’Donovan, who has responsibility for the Office of Public Works, said the advice is to drive with extreme caution in areas where a weather warning was or is in place.
He told RTE Radio: “The local authority crews will (have only started) going out in the last while when the red warning was lifted in some counties. Once first light is achieved, they’ll be able to see the scale of the damage.
“We won’t be able to ascertain the full damage until later on in the morning.”
He said the national emergency co-ordination group was due to meet at 11am.
Tens of thousands of homes without electricity
Power outages have been reported across Ireland as tens of thousands of homes are without electricity after Storm Debi battered the island overnight.
Spot flooding has been reported in areas of the west coast, including Salthill in Galway.
Trees are down in multiple locations, with drivers facing difficult conditions.
In pictures: Storm Ciaran battered UK earlier this month
Storm Debi 'developed rapidly overnight,' says Met Office
The Met Office says Storm Debi, the fourth named storm of the season, "developed rapidly overnight" and is now set to unleash heavy winds on the UK.
The storm has developed, in part, because of a very strong jet stream crossing the Atlantic, the forecaster says.
The core of the jet stream is currently located to the south of the UK.
This strong jet stream is responsible for the very unsettled period of weather we are currently experiencing. Further areas of low pressure are forecast to develop and affect the UK during the coming week.
“Storm Debi has developed rapidly overnight and will bring impacts across parts of the UK today," Matthew Lehnert, a Chief Meteorologist with the Met Office, says.
"Because of the particular risk of impacts to parts of County Armagh and County Down this morning and parts of northwest England through much of the day we have issued two amber wind warnings.”
Within the warning areas the strongest winds are expected to reach 75mph, or even 80mph, in exposed coastal locations today, while inland areas are expected to see gusts of 60-65mph.
Two amber wind warnings for southeast Northern Ireland and northwest England are embedded within broader yellow warnings already in force across the whole of Northern Ireland, northern England and parts of Wales.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments