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Storm Amy: schools closed and ferries cancelled as strong winds hit parts of UK One person dead and thousands of homes without power as Storm Amy arrives
(about 7 hours later)
North and west of Scotland expected to be worst hit by storm as winds could reach 100mph in exposed areas Irish police say they are treating the death of a man as weather-related and, meanwhile, many homes in Ireland and Northern Ireland are without power
Schools closed early, ferry sailings have been cancelled and amber weather warnings are in place as Storm Amy sweeps into the UK from the Atlantic with the threat of 100mph winds. A man has been killed and hundreds of thousands of homes on the island of Ireland are without power after Storm Amy brought widespread disruption on Friday.
An amber weather warning, highlighting a danger to life, was also in place in the north of Scotland until 9pm on Saturday.
There were 25 flood warnings and 17 flood alerts in place across Scotland, where high winds reportedly caused a derelict building to collapse in Glasgow. Power cuts have also been reported in the Highlands and ferry sailings, flights and trains have been cancelled.
In Ireland, power lines were damaged and hundreds of schools closed early as the first named storm of the season swept across the island.
Irish police said they were treating an incident where a man was seriously injured in the Letterkenny area of the county, shortly after 4.15pm, as weather-related.
The Irish government issued its highest-level wind warning in County Donegal, where residents were advised to take shelter between 4pm and 6pm.
A provisional October wind gust record for Northern Ireland was set as 92mph winds were measured at Magilligan in County Derry, the Met Office said.
The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) said approximately 184,000 homes, farms and businesses across the Republic of Ireland were without power at 5.15pm. About 50,000 properties in Northern Ireland have also been left without power, NIE Networks said.
Alex Houston, NIE Networks operations manager, said: “Our incident management centre in Craigavon has been opened as have our local incident centres across Northern Ireland with staff across the company being escalated to assist with the response effort.
“We have mobilised additional call agents to deal with any queries customers may have regarding the repair process in their area.”
Translink told the BBC that all train lines in Northern Ireland have closed, while Belfast International Airport and Belfast City Airport advised passengers to check the status of their flight with their airline.
Network Rail Scotland said Storm Amy had hit parts of the country “much harder and more quickly” than expected, and reported more than 60 incidents during the first two hours of the storm, with trees falling on overhead lines and creating debris on tracks.
The first named storm of the season has prompted weather warnings throughout Britain for heavy rain and strong winds.The first named storm of the season has prompted weather warnings throughout Britain for heavy rain and strong winds.
The north and west of Scotland are expected to be the worst hit, with a Met Office amber warning for damaging winds in place for 5pm on Friday until 9am Saturday.The north and west of Scotland are expected to be the worst hit, with a Met Office amber warning for damaging winds in place for 5pm on Friday until 9am Saturday.
People living in parts of the Highlands and Western Isles have been warned of a danger to life from flying debris and of potential power cuts, road closures and damage to buildings.People living in parts of the Highlands and Western Isles have been warned of a danger to life from flying debris and of potential power cuts, road closures and damage to buildings.
Forecasters said the winds could reach 100mph in some exposed parts of western Scotland, particularly around Tiree, western Lochaber and Skye. Gusts of 60-70mph will be more widespread.Forecasters said the winds could reach 100mph in some exposed parts of western Scotland, particularly around Tiree, western Lochaber and Skye. Gusts of 60-70mph will be more widespread.
In Northern Ireland, where an amber warning is in place until 8pm on Friday, schools in Antrim, Derry, Tyrone and Fermanagh were told to close at noon, while the Foyle Bridge in Derry was closed because of strong winds.In Northern Ireland, where an amber warning is in place until 8pm on Friday, schools in Antrim, Derry, Tyrone and Fermanagh were told to close at noon, while the Foyle Bridge in Derry was closed because of strong winds.
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In the Republic of Ireland, Met Éireann issued a red warning for County Donegal in the north-west, with orange alerts for Clare, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo, and residents told to “shelter in place”. About 184,000 homes, farms and businesses across the country were without power.In the Republic of Ireland, Met Éireann issued a red warning for County Donegal in the north-west, with orange alerts for Clare, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo, and residents told to “shelter in place”. About 184,000 homes, farms and businesses across the country were without power.
Ferry sailings between Scotland and Northern Ireland and a number of Scottish islands were cancelled. They include services between Cairnryan in Dumfries and Galloway and Larne in Co Antrim, and between Ardrossan on the Scottish mainland and Brodick on the Isle of Arran.Ferry sailings between Scotland and Northern Ireland and a number of Scottish islands were cancelled. They include services between Cairnryan in Dumfries and Galloway and Larne in Co Antrim, and between Ardrossan on the Scottish mainland and Brodick on the Isle of Arran.
The RNLI said the strong gusts “pose a significant risk to safety” and appealed for people to “exercise extreme caution, particularly along exposed cliffs, seafronts, piers and waterside paths”.The RNLI said the strong gusts “pose a significant risk to safety” and appealed for people to “exercise extreme caution, particularly along exposed cliffs, seafronts, piers and waterside paths”.
The approaching storm has led to a number of event cancellations, including Friday evening’s United Rugby Championship match between Edinburgh and Ulster at Hive Stadium.The approaching storm has led to a number of event cancellations, including Friday evening’s United Rugby Championship match between Edinburgh and Ulster at Hive Stadium.
Edinburgh’s managing director, Douglas Struth, said: “We were set to welcome a capacity crowd for tonight’s game. This decision has not been taken lightly.”Edinburgh’s managing director, Douglas Struth, said: “We were set to welcome a capacity crowd for tonight’s game. This decision has not been taken lightly.”
The Forth Road Bridge, which connects Queensferry and North Queensferry across the Firth of Forth, was closed to all vehicles because of the storm, with drivers advised to use the nearby Queensferry Crossing instead.The Forth Road Bridge, which connects Queensferry and North Queensferry across the Firth of Forth, was closed to all vehicles because of the storm, with drivers advised to use the nearby Queensferry Crossing instead.
In Southend-on-Sea in Essex, Saturday’s annual Apple Day at St Laurence orchard was cancelled.In Southend-on-Sea in Essex, Saturday’s annual Apple Day at St Laurence orchard was cancelled.
ScotRail said several railway lines in northern Scotland would close from 6pm on Friday and speed restrictions would be in place on all other routes from 7pm. All of Scotland, the north of England and the most western parts of Wales will fall under a yellow warning for wind until the start of Sunday.
All of Scotland, the north of England and the most western parts of Wales will fall under a yellow warning for wind from 3pm on Friday until the start of Sunday. A long strip of Scotland from Dumfries to the northernmost part of the mainland will fall under a yellow rain warning to 3pm on Saturday.
Sign up to First Edition In Northern Ireland, a yellow warning for wind is in place until noon on Saturday.
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A long strip of Scotland from Dumfries to the northernmost part of the mainland will fall under a yellow rain warning from noon on Friday to 3pm on Saturday.
A yellow rain warning is in place for the north-west of England, including the Lake District, for 3pm until midnight. In Northern Ireland, a yellow warning for wind is in place for 2pm on Friday until noon on Saturday.
The Met Office warned of difficult driving conditions over the weekend, especially for high-sided vehicles.
It added: “Winds will ease for most parts through Saturday afternoon but will continue to be very strong for the Northern Isles and parts of the far north of Scotland through to the end of Saturday, before slowly easing overnight.”
Scotland’s transport secretary, Fiona Hyslop, urged people to check conditions before travelling. She said: “Motorists will face difficult driving conditions, so it’s vital people plan ahead if they have to travel to see if their route is impacted by the weather.
“Travellers should check the latest information before they set off, drive to the conditions and follow Police Scotland travel advice.”
Police urged motorists to drive carefully. Ch Supt Scott McCarren, Police Scotland’s head of road policing, said: “I would encourage people to drive to the conditions and be aware of increased stopping distances. In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads.
“Drivers of vehicles vulnerable to being blown over should plan their route to avoid exposed areas or consider cancelling your journey until conditions improve.”