Janice R. Andrews
Storm Bert has brought heavy rain and fierce winds to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, leading to weather warnings and significant disruptions.
In Northern Ireland, yellow warnings for rain, wind, and snow remain in effect until 11:00 GMT on Saturday. The Republic of Ireland has been hit harder, with over 30,000 homes losing power as the storm swept through overnight.
Met Éireann, Ireland’s national meteorological service, issued rare red warnings for torrential rain in west Cork and west Galway, cautioning against severe flooding, property damage, and dangerous driving conditions. These red alerts, the highest level of warning, remain active until 10:00 local time on Saturday.
Orange warnings are also in place for counties Waterford, Kerry, Clare, Mayo, Sligo, and Leitrim, signaling heavy rainfall risks. Meanwhile, County Donegal faces yellow warnings for snow/ice, rain, and strong winds, with approximately 12,000 residents in the county affected by power outages, particularly in Gweedore and Buncrana.
Other affected counties include Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, and Galway, experiencing localized flooding and electricity disruptions. In Northern Ireland, several Translink bus services were canceled on Friday, impacting routes through Belfast, Ballygowan, Derryboy, Omagh, and Newcastle.
Storm Bert, the second named storm of the 2024/25 season, follows disruptive snow earlier in the week. Named by Met Éireann on Thursday, the storm met criteria for severe impacts, showcasing the importance of storm naming in alerting the public.
This naming system is a collaboration between Met Éireann, the UK Met Office, and the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), who prepare an alphabetical list of names for each storm season.
With more impacts expected, authorities urge residents to follow official guidance and remain cautious as the storm continues to affect the region.
