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Storm Barra brings strong winds, heavy rain and snow to NI Storm Barra brings strong winds, heavy rain and snow to NI
(about 1 hour later)
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Storm Barra brings strong winds, heavy rain and snow to NI
Storm Barra has brought strong winds, heavy rain and snow to Northern Ireland.Storm Barra has brought strong winds, heavy rain and snow to Northern Ireland.
A yellow warning for wind is in effect until 18:00 GMT on Tuesday which could cause travel disruption. Some flights were cancelled, driving conditions are difficult and there have been power cuts and flooding.
The Met Office downgraded its previous yellow warning, which included heavy rainfall, that had been expected to last into Wednesday. A yellow warning for wind was in effect until 18:00 GMT in NI, while a red warning remains in place for the south-west of the Republic of Ireland.
A red warning remains in place for parts of the south-west of the Republic of Ireland. That prompted schools to be closed in 12 counties, while nearly 49,000 homes and businesses remain without power.
This is the country's highest weather alert level and has prompted the closure of schools across 12 counties, with about 49,000 homes and businesses without power. Northern Ireland Electricity said about 1,500 of its customers were without power on Tuesday evening, as the Met Office downgraded its previous yellow warning.
Northern Ireland Electricity said about 1,500 of its customers were without power on Tuesday evening.
In pictures: Barra batters Northern IrelandIn pictures: Barra batters Northern Ireland
A spokesperson said extra staff had been brought in to deal with the repair effort and it had "mobilised additional call agents to deal with any queries customers may have regarding the repair process in their area". Extra NI Electricity staff were brought in to deal with the repair effort and field calls from concerned customers.
Meanwhile, yellow warnings for rain, wind and snow are in place across much of Great Britain, including in Scotland where the storm threatens disruption to areas still recovering from Storm Arwen. Yellow warnings for rain, wind and snow are in place across much of Great Britain, including in Scotland where the storm threatens disruption to areas still recovering from Storm Arwen.
“Storm Barra has arrived in Northern Ireland”Ireland correspondent Chris Page says “stay indoors if you can” as a yellow weather warning is in placehttps://t.co/qPddWCYzJO pic.twitter.com/tAF16PR5EC“Storm Barra has arrived in Northern Ireland”Ireland correspondent Chris Page says “stay indoors if you can” as a yellow weather warning is in placehttps://t.co/qPddWCYzJO pic.twitter.com/tAF16PR5EC
The strongest recorded gust so far in Northern Ireland was 122km/h (76mph) at Orlock, County Down. While sleet and snow fell over the west of Northern Ireland, the strongest recorded gust was 122km/h (76mph) at Orlock, County Down.
On the north coast windspeeds of 114km/h (71mph) were recorded at Magilligan, County Londonderry. On the north coast 70mph gusts were recorded at Magilligan, County Londonderry.
Met Éireann said that counties Cork, Kerry and Clare are expected to face gusts of more than 130km/h (80mph), as well as a combination of coastal flooding, high tides and storm surges. In the Republic of Ireland, counties Cork, Kerry and Clare were under red warnings as a combination of coastal flooding, high tides and storm surges, Met Éireann said.
Irish national broadcaster RTÉ has reported that a gust of 113 km/h (70mph) was recorded at 06:00 on Sherkin Island, just off the coast of Cork and in Cork city, the River Lee spilled over onto the city's quays earlier this morning. A gust of 113 km/h (70mph) was recorded at 06:00 on Sherkin Island off the coast of Cork and, in Cork city, the River Lee spilled over onto the city's quays.
The next warning level, status orange, will be in effect for a time across counties Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Mayo, Wexford, Dublin, Louth, Wicklow and east Meath. The country's next warning level, status orange, was in effect for a time across counties Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Mayo, Wexford, Dublin, Louth, Wicklow and east Meath.
Shoppers in Belfast city centre attempt to shield from the wind and rainShoppers in Belfast city centre attempt to shield from the wind and rain
In Northern Ireland, the yellow alert for wind warns of a risk of spray and/or large waves in coastal areas.In Northern Ireland, the yellow alert for wind warns of a risk of spray and/or large waves in coastal areas.
The weather has led to the cancellation of some flights, with a further Met Office warning that driving conditions could be difficult. Flights from airports in both Northern Ireland and the Republic have been affected and customers are advised to check with the airline for further information.
A wall collapsed under pressure caused by the conditions at Ballywalter Harbour in County Down. Some train services have also been affected with Translink updating passengers on the status of those as developments occur.
In Belfast, the Christmas Market in the grounds of City Hall was closed on Tuesday, as was Victoria Park in east Belfast and the National Trust's Mount Stewart estate on the shores of Strangford Lough.
A wall collapsed at Ballywalter Harbour in County Down, while scaffolding collapsed onto a car in Londonderry.
The conditions have caused damage to Ballywalter HarbourThe conditions have caused damage to Ballywalter Harbour
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has appealed for people to stay "well back from the water's edge" due to the risk of large waves, and in any coastal emergency to dial 999 for the coastguard. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has appealed for people to stay well back from the water's edge due to the risk of large waves, and dial 999 for the coastguard in the event of an emergency.
Sleet and snow has been experienced over the west of Northern Ireland.
#stormbarra at Carrickfergus Castle pic.twitter.com/jdWig5ufUr#stormbarra at Carrickfergus Castle pic.twitter.com/jdWig5ufUr
Cathy Halloran, a correspondent for RTÉ, reported "howling winds and heavy rain" in Tralee in County Kerry on Tuesday morning.
She told BBC News NI's Good Morning Ulster the south-west of Ireland was prepared for a "sustained weather assault".
Ronan Galvin, who owns a café on the promenade in Salthill, County Galway, said he had used sandbags to protect his business.Ronan Galvin, who owns a café on the promenade in Salthill, County Galway, said he had used sandbags to protect his business.
"We've taken the necessary precautions that we would take for storms of this nature," he continued. "Our big concern would be overlapping from the seawater," he told Irish broadcaster RTE. "That's what poses our biggest risk."
"Our big concern would be overlapping from the seawater. That's what poses our biggest risk."
Cancellations and closuresCancellations and closures
The Irish Department of Education has advised that all schools in counties covered by an orange or red warning should shut on Tuesday. All schools in counties covered by an orange or red warning were shut on Tuesday, after advice issued by the Irish Department of Education.
Schools in other areas should keep up-to-date with weather warnings for any changes, the department said. The Irish Farmers' Association urged its members to take every precaution to safeguard themselves and livestock during the storm.
On Tuesday, the Irish Farmers' Association urged its members to take every precaution to safeguard themselves and livestock during the storm.
The Killyreagh Road in Tamlaght, County Fermanagh, was blocked by a fallen treeThe Killyreagh Road in Tamlaght, County Fermanagh, was blocked by a fallen tree
An Garda Síochána (Irish police) are advising people to avoid all unnecessary travel where red and orange warnings are in place. An Garda Síochána (Irish police) advised people to avoid all unnecessary travel where red and orange warnings were in place.
Evelyn Cusack, Met Éireann's Head of Forecasting, said she expected it to be "windy along eastern parts of Northern Ireland", however, the region will not be the "worst affected".
Rather, she told BBC Radio Foyle, "the worst will be further south over much of Munster".
Ms Cusack added that a flood risk in Cork because of high tides had receded.
In County Donegal, traffic has been moving slowly through Barnesmore Gap after snowfall.
Independent Sligo councillor Marie Casserly posted a video on social media showing the wintry scenes.
The Barnesmore Gap in Donegal this morning @MetEireann @donegalcouncil @RTENationwide @barrabest @TeresaMannion @WeatherRTE @iweatheronline @DonegalWeatherC @deric_tv @OceanFmIreland @DalysDonegal #StormBarra #StaySafe #Sneachta pic.twitter.com/e4qFvnagcMThe Barnesmore Gap in Donegal this morning @MetEireann @donegalcouncil @RTENationwide @barrabest @TeresaMannion @WeatherRTE @iweatheronline @DonegalWeatherC @deric_tv @OceanFmIreland @DalysDonegal #StormBarra #StaySafe #Sneachta pic.twitter.com/e4qFvnagcM
The second named storm this season, Storm Barra comes just 10 days after Storm Arwen struck on 26 November, causing disruption and three fatalities across the UK.The second named storm this season, Storm Barra comes just 10 days after Storm Arwen struck on 26 November, causing disruption and three fatalities across the UK.
Flights from airports in Northern Ireland and the Republic have been affected and customers are advised to check with the airline for further information.
In Belfast, the Christmas Market in the grounds of City Hall will remain closed today.
The National Trust said its Mount Stewart estate on the shores of Strangford Lough would close on Tuesday "to ensure the safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers".
Victoria Park in east Belfast will also be closed until 09:00 on Wednesday, Belfast City Council confirmed. It said this was due to the threat of heavy rain coinciding with predicted high tides.
Are you in an area affected by Storm Barra? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in an area affected by Storm Barra? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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