A severe weather system, identified as Storm Darragh, has battered the UK and Ireland, leaving a trail of destruction and disruption in its wake. The storm, which made landfall on the western coast of Ireland on Wednesday evening, brought with it strong winds of up to 120 km/h and heavy rainfall, causing widespread damage and power outages.
According to reports, one person has lost their life as a result of the storm, with the incident occurring in County Cork, Ireland. The victim, whose identity has not been released, was killed when a tree branch fell on their vehicle. Emergency services are working to recover the body and provide support to the family.
The storm has also left hundreds of thousands of households without power, with the worst affected areas being in western Ireland and northern parts of the UK. The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) in Ireland has reported that over 150,000 households are without power, while in the UK, energy provider Northern Powergrid has confirmed that over 100,000 homes are affected.
The strong winds and heavy rainfall have caused widespread disruption, with fallen trees, flooded roads, and damage to buildings reported across the region. The UK’s Met Office has issued a yellow warning for wind and rain, advising residents to take precautions and avoid travel unless necessary.
In Ireland, the National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) has been activated, with emergency services working to respond to the crisis. The Irish Defence Forces have been deployed to assist with relief efforts, and the ESB is working to restore power to affected areas.
The UK’s Environment Agency has also issued flood warnings for several areas, including parts of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cumbria. Residents in these areas are advised to take precautions and move to higher ground if necessary.
The storm has also caused significant disruption to transportation, with several major roads closed due to fallen trees and flooding. Train services have also been affected, with some lines closed until further notice.
As the storm continues to move east, residents are advised to remain indoors and avoid travel unless necessary. Emergency services are working to respond to the crisis, and residents are urged to follow their instructions.
In a statement, the UK’s Met Office said: “Storm Darragh is a significant weather system that will bring strong winds and heavy rainfall to the UK and Ireland. We urge residents to take precautions and follow the advice of emergency services.”
The Irish government has also issued a statement, saying: “The government is working closely with emergency services to respond to the crisis. We urge residents to remain indoors and avoid travel unless necessary.”
As the storm continues to batter the region, residents are advised to stay safe and follow the instructions of emergency services.
