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Recovery operations are under way after Storm Debi swept across Ireland, forcing some schools to close and disrupting public transport services.

A woman was taken to hospital after being hit by flying debris in Limerick, as the storm also brought coastal flooding and widespread power outages across Ireland.

The majority of the country was placed under red and orange wind warnings on Monday as Irish forecaster Met Eireann warned of “severe and damaging gusts”, with the last of the warnings lifting by 3pm.

With all weather warnings now expired, the focus turned to clearing roads of debris, reconnecting the 70,000 homes and businesses left without power and helping those hit by flooding.

An Irish Government scheme to support people living in homes affected by severe weather has been extended following flooding in Galway city and nearby Oranmore.

See updates below or see the latest breaking news on our homepage

Key Events

KEY EVENT

National Emergency Coordination Group issues update

The National Directorate for Emergency and Fire Management (NDFEM) called a further National Emergency Coordination Group meeting this morning in the wake of Storm Debi.

A spokesperson said: "Met Éireann advise that storm Debi has now moved off into the Irish Sea. A Status Yellow rain and wind warning remains in effect for all of Ireland. River levels are running high, particularly in the Connaught, Shannon region, Donegal and Cavan.

"Local Authorities, who are the lead agency for the response to severe weather events on the ground, have activated their Crisis Management Teams and Local Coordination Groups and are responding to any disruption caused by Storm Debi – including restoring road networks following any weather disruption.

"In particular, there has been significant flooding in Galway city and local response teams are dealing with the impacts. Department of Social Protection and Department of Enterprise supports are being made available for households and businesses directly impacted.

"There have been some power outages across the country. Customers can check estimated restoration times or report an outage on Powercheck.ie. Safety of public and crews is critical. ESB Networks will be making safe any faults which occur throughout the day and restoring supply remotely and on site when safe to do so. At 10.30am this morning, 80,000 customers remained without supply (down from 100,000 earlier) and it is expected that power will be restored to most homes throughout the day.

"Public transport is back fully operational with some delays and some local disruption. The public are encouraged to use the relevant public transport provider websites to check for any disruption to services at local level. "

Speaking after this morning’s meeting, Keith Leonard, Director-General of the NDFEM advised the public: “Although the storm has passed, there are still hazards out there – particularly fallen trees or branches and fallen wires. All road users should slow down and be aware of the dangers of fallen trees and debris. I would remind people that it is critical that they never ever touch or approach fallen wires. Be sure to stay safe and stay clear of fallen or damaged electricity wires.

“Given the disruption in some areas, people should check their travel plans in advance of setting out on their journey.

“We will continue to coordinate activities across all relevant state bodies to ensure we can address the impacts of the storm and, as always, we would advise everybody to monitor national and local media, including social media, over the course of the day to keep up to date with the latest information.”

The NDFEM Crisis Management Team continues to monitor developments, liaising with Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams and Crisis Management Teams who are actively dealing with the disruption caused by the storm.

Anita McSorley

Met Eireann update

Met Eireann said: "Storm Debi continues to track northeastwards over the country. Severe and damaging wind gusts will continue for a time leading to disruption. Heavy rain will become confined to Ulster during the morning with sunny spells and showers following."

Clare McCarthy

Postwoman in Limerick taken to hospital after being hit by flying debris

A postwoman was taken to hospital after being hit by flying debris in County Limerick this morning however, luckily she was not seriously injured.

Meanwhile, there are delays to postal deliveries in the North, Midlands, South and East of the country due to poor road conditions.

In an update from An Post, a spokesperson said: "An Post adjusted their schedules to get letters and parcels safely around the country ahead of the storm.

"Deliveries in some areas in the North, Midlands, South and East of the country will be delayed due to road conditions and power outages, all determined by local conditions.

"Deliveries will get underway as soon as it is safe to do so.

"Many Post Offices are operating normally around the country and Post Offices in the Red Zone started to open from 11am, wherever it is safe to do so. Power outages will impact some post offices areas and we will provide updates throughout the day."

Clare McCarthy

Boats washed ashore in Galway overnight

Pictures from Galway show boats washed ashore at the Claddagh this morning after Storm Debi.

Clare McCarthy

Luas Green Line partially closed due to tree blocking the tracks

The Luas Green Line has partially closed between St. Stephen’s Green and Balally due to a tree that is blocking the tracks at Beechwood.

Works on the line are expected to take three hours to complete, meaning the Green Line should fully reopen by around 2pm.

Services are still operating between St. Stephens Green and Broombridge and between Brides Glen and Balally.

Clare McCarthy

Dublin Bus services resumed, Luas Red Line fully reopened

  • Dublin Bus services have resumed since 10am however, customers can expect 'delays and disruption' as buses get back on schedule.
  • The Luas Red Line has fully reopened, with delays expected.
  • The Luas Green Line has only partially reopened. Services are now operating between St. Stephens Green and Broombridge and between Brides Glen and Balally, Luas tickets are valid on Dublin bus for the duration of the disruption.
KEY EVENT

'Most intense storm' so far

This is the fourth storm to affect Ireland this season, following Agnes, Babet and Ciaran.

The Irish national director for fire and emergency management 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.

Michael Marsh

People told to leave fallen trees

Junior minister Patrick O’Donovan said the scale of the damage will be clearer later in the day.

He asked people to leave it to local authority workers and ESB workers to clear trees from the roads.

“The warning really to people that are going to go out on the roads is to stay away from trees because they could be very easily entangled with power lines and there is other risks associated with trees,” he told RTE Radio.

A fallen tree after Storm Debi caused some major damage to a vehicle in Meath (Image: Twitter/@MCCFireService)
KEY EVENT

115kph winds recorded

A gust of 115kph was recorded at a Met Eireann weather station in Athenry, Co Galway, on Monday morning.

Michael Marsh

Watch: Severe disruption to Dublin transport network

Clare McCarthy

Households in Galway, Longford and midlands worst hit by power outages

The areas worst impacted by the power outages are Western, Midwest and Midlands counties (Image: ESB)

100,000 ESB customers have been left without power this morning due to damage to electricity wires by Storm Debi.

Households in Galway, Longford and the midlands have been the worst hit by power outages, with power estimated to be restored by 6pm on Monday evening in most areas.

Some of the biggest power outages have been reported in:

  • Longford -1,561 Customers are affected

  • Athenry - 844 Customers are affected

  • Ashbourne - 1,480 Customers are affected
  • Loughshinny - 1,350 Customers are affected

Read the full story here.

Clare McCarthy

Warning issued over fallen electricity wires in Louth

Louth County Council have issued a warning over fallen electricity wires in Port, near Clogherhead, in Louth.

People have been advised to avoid the area as fallen electricity wires are considered live and dangerous.

Clare McCarthy

Luas services to resume after 10am - but delays due to debris on the line

Luas services were expected to resume after 10am on Monday but are experiencing delays due to a signal fault and debris on the line.

A Luas spokesperson said: "Red and Green line services will resume after 10am. We are experiencing a signal fault on the Red Line and debris on the Green Line at Beechwood as a result of Storm Debi."

In an update to passengers, they said: "We are experiencing a signal fault on the Red Line and debris on the Green Line at Beechwood as a result of Storm Debi. More information to follow shortly."

Clare McCarthy

Status Orange warning for 19 counties lifted

Met Eireann's Status Orange wind warning for 19 counties including; Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Cavan, Monaghan, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Galway, Roscommon, has been lifted.

A Status Yellow weather warning for wind and rain remains in place for the whole of Ireland until 3pm on Monday.

The UK Met Office has an Amber Wind Warning in place for Armagh and Down until 12 noon.

Clare McCarthy

Status Red wind warning for eight counties expires at 9am

Met Eireann's Status Red wind warning that was in place for eight counties has expired at 9am.

A Status Orange wind alert for 19 counties including; Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Cavan, Monaghan, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Galway, Roscommon, will expire at 10am.

Finally, a Status Yellow weather warning for wind and rain is in place for the entire island of Ireland until 3pm on Monday.

Clare McCarthy

Pictures show damage to cars and trees in Meath after Storm Debi

Meath County Council Fire and Rescue Service attended a number of incidents in Meath this morning in the aftermath of Storm Debi.

Clare McCarthy

Trains cancelled and delayed due to fallen trees on the line

A number of trains have been cancelled or delayed on Monday morning due to fallen trees on the line.

  • 09:05 Connolly/Sligo has been cancelled due to fallen trees between Enfield/Sligo.

Irish Rail said a speed restriction of 50mh/80kh is in place across the entire network this morning and delays to services are expected.

KEY EVENT

Live storm tracker

Check exactly how wet and windy it will get in your area here: Ireland storm tracker as Met Eireann gives exact timeline for Storm Debi amid red weather warning

Clare McCarthy

DKIT and Maynooth University cancel early morning lectures

Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) and Maynooth University have canceled a number of lectures this morning due to the Status Red wind warning in Louth and Kildare.

  • DKIT classes will not begin until 11am
  • Maynooth University has cancelled classes until 10am
Clare McCarthy

Roads blocked by fallen trees in Meath

Meath County Council confirmed that a number of roads have been blocked by fallen trees in Meath including;

  • N51 Navan to Athboy - trees down at Rathmore, road blocked
  • R156 Summerhill to Dunboyne - tree down blocking the road at Moynalvey
  • R164 Kells to Athboy - tree down blocking road (no further detail as of yet on exact location)
  • Frayne Lane - tree down blocking road

  • N52 Clonmellon to Delvin - tree down at Ballinlough Castle turn off - road blocked

  • Ballybin Road - Tree down blocking one lane

  • Donore to Duleek Road - Tree down just outside Donore Village

  • Coast Road - Tree down at Mornington - road blocked

  • Reports of tree down on Athboy to Ballivor road - no further details at this time.

  • Neilstown, Bohermeen - Tree down beside community centre - road blocked

KEY EVENT

ESB confirm 100,000 customers without power this morning

A spokesperson for the ESB confirmed to the Irish Mirror that there are now 100,000 customers without power this morning due to the damage caused by Storm Debi.

Power is estimated to be restored by 6pm on Monday evening in most areas impacted.

Check if your area is affected here.

Clare McCarthy

Irish Rail cancel services between Connolly and Drogheda

The following services have been cancelled due to an operational issue following poor weather conditions.

  • 07.50 Connolly/Drogheda
  • 09.00 Drogheda/Connolly
Clare McCarthy

Dublin Universities cancel lectures this morning

Some universities in Dublin have cancelled lectures this morning due to Storm Debi.

  • DCU has cancelled all lectures until 12 noon
  • UCD has cancelled all lectures until 11am
  • TCD will be closed until 8am

Clare McCarthy

Storm Debi continues to track northeastwards

Storm Debi is continuing to track northeastwards over the country this morning, with a Status Red alert still in place for eight counties.

A Met Eireann spokesperson said: "Stormy in many areas this morning as #StormDebi continues to track northeastwards over the country

"Severe & damaging wind gusts are expected leading to some disruption"

Meanwhile, the Status Red wind warning for Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Louth, Meath, Wicklow, Offaly, Westmeath is in place until 9am, while the Status Red warning for east Galway and Roscommon expired at 7am.

Storm Debi continues to track northeastwards over Ireland (Image: Met Eireann)
Clare McCarthy

Eight flights cancelled at Dublin Airport

In a statement, Dublin Airport operator daa said: "Dublin Airport is open and operational this morning.

"As of 6.30am, four incoming and four outgoing flights between Dublin-Amsterdam and Dublin-London have been cancelled. Some disruption is possible today as a result of Storm Debi. Passengers are advised to contact their airline for updates on specific flights.

"Passengers travelling to and from Dublin Airport are advised to take extra care this morning. With some bus services not running until after 9am, passengers may need to consider an alternate option. Parking spaces are available in our car parks at Dublin Airport and, so far this morning, taxis are in good supply."

Clare McCarthy

Update: No Dublin Bus services until 10am this morning

Dublin Bus issued an update this morning advising customers that there will be no services running before 10am on Monday.

They had previously advised that services would resume at 9am.

Clare McCarthy

Pictures of damage from Storm Debi in Galway

There has been significant damage caused by Storm Debi in Galway with massive flooding reported.

Clare McCarthy

Major power outages as thousands left without electricity

Thousands of houses have been left without electricity this morning due to the damage caused by Storm Debi.

ESB have reported major power outages affecting thousands in Roscommon, Galway, Mayo, Limerick, Laois, Tipperary, Meath and more with power not expeted to be restored until 6pm on Monday evening.

Check if your area is affected here.

ESB have also warned people to stay clear of any fallen electrical wires.

Clare McCarthy

Full list of public transport services affected by Storm Debi

There will be chaos for commuters this morning with Storm Debi causing 'severe' disruption to public transport.

In the capital, Dublin Bus has confirmed there will be no bus services running before 9am on Monday - after which a phased return of services will resume. There will also be no Luas trams running in Dublin city before 10am on Monday.

Meanwhile, delays are expected on all Irish Rail services and Bus Eireann will not operate before 10am on Monday in counties where a Status Red weather warning is in place.

Read the full story here.

KEY EVENT

Update: Met Eireann extend Status Red warnings

Met Eireann have extended the Status Red warnings for a few hours in 10 counties.

  • Status Red - Wind warnings for east Galway, Roscommon extended until 7am
  • Status Red - Wind warning for Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Louth, Meath, Wicklow, Offaly, Westmeath extended until 9am