LIVE: Storm Agnes hits West Cork

5.15pm

THE severe orange wind warning for Cork has been extended until 7pm this evening.

While conditions in many parts of West Cork have been relatively calm today, there are still strong gusts present, especially in coastal regions.

RNLI at Baltimore returning this afternoon, taken as Star reader Magnus Burbanks was down checking his own boat.

Members of the public have been urged to take care in coastal regions, especially if out on the water this evening.

One unlucky person will be fishing their car out in Bantry later on...

You see the sign? 🙈

Bantry in Cork just now, photo taken by Ollie O’Grady #StormAgnes pic.twitter.com/A1jSLcYxri

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) September 27, 2023

#StormAgnes putting lifeguards hut under pressure @SouthernStarIRL @Corkcoco @CarlowWeather pic.twitter.com/darcNn94Oe

— shane (@shanehourihane1) September 27, 2023

2.30pm

A LARGE tree is down, completely blocking the back road in Glandore near the old convent. Care should be taken on approach.

Power has been restored to many West Cork properties, with faults remaining in Lee Bridge near Macroom, affecting 800 people, and in Bantry, affecting 40 people.

12.15pm

A NUMBER of the power outages which have been affecting people in West Cork have now been fixed by ESB crews.

However, over 1,700 people in Bandon remain without power – the fault is estimated to be fixed by 1.15pm today. Approximately 40 people in Rosscarbery are also affected and await restoration of their power, while over 2,000 people are still without power in Macroom.

The status orange rain warning remains in place until 3pm today, while the status orange wind warning is effective until 5pm.

After that, a status yellow wind warning will be in place until midnight, so even as Storm Agnes passes, strong winds are expected throughout the evening.

#CorkFloods Reports of flooding between Bandon and Ballinadee. Impassable in parts. Take care on approach. #StormAgnes pic.twitter.com/7pvPLURNwX

— Cork Safety Alerts (@CorkSafetyAlert) September 27, 2023

A live stream of conditions at Inchydoney Beach is available to view on YouTube, with strong waves present.

10.40am

WINDS are picking up across West Cork – Met Éireann's latest wind readings for Sherkin Island see a mean speed wind of 69 km/h (orange level wind), with gusts of 111 km/h.

There have been many reports of flooded roads and dangerous driving conditions throughout West Cork, from Cork Safety Alerts on Twitter/X:

Ardcahan Bridge near Dunmanway is flooded.

A phone cable has detached from a pole and is blowing across the road on the Dunmanway to Ballineen road by Manch Bridge.

#CorkTraffic Reports of a tree down between Model Village, Dripsey and Kilmurry Pub. Take care on approach. #StormAgnes pic.twitter.com/juGcXhcunW

— Cork Safety Alerts (@CorkSafetyAlert) September 27, 2023

ESB crews are working to repair a fault which has left 1700 households in the Bandon area without power. Another fault in Rosscarbery is affecting 42 customers, while 500 are without power near Beal na Bláth and over 2000 are affected in Macroom. See powercheck.esbnetworks.ie for more.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27th – 9.27am

STORM Agnes is currently over West Cork, with heavy winds and rain hitting the coast this morning, as the severe weather warning commences.

Met Éireann has updated the status orange wind warning, which is in place until 5pm today, to include Cork, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Kerry, Tipperary and Waterford.

There is also an orange rain warning in place until 3pm.

Wind and rain is lashing the coast, as witnessed by Anne Kelleher at the Warren in Rosscarbery this morning.

A small tree is down this morning at the dangerous bends at Old Court between Skibbereen and Baltimore. Surface water is also making the road dangerous for motorists.

Dangerous driving conditions between Skibbereen and Baltimore. (Photo: Jackie Keogh)

Some of the potential impacts during Storm Agnes include coastal flooding, difficult travel conditions, power outages, fallen trees, localised flooding and poor visibility.

Winds are expected to grow throughout the morning in West Cork.

More updates to follow.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH

A SEVERE weather warning has been issued for West Cork as Storm Agnes approaches the country, and is forecast to bring heavy winds and rain with it.

Met Éireann has issued two status orange weather warnings for Cork, Kerry and Waterford – one for wind and one for rain – which come into effect tomorrow morning (Wednesday) from 9am until 3pm with spells of heavy and occasionally intense rain, combined with very strong and gusty winds forecasted.

A yellow wind and rain warning has been issued for the rest of the country.

As Storm Agnes hits, it will become very windy on Wednesday with very strong and gusty southerly winds, veering westerly later on.

Potential impacts include coastal flooding, localised flooding, power outages, difficult and hazardous travel conditions, fallen trees and poor visibility.

Cork County Council’s severe weather assessment team has crews on standby in several known risk locations across the county.

Crews are currently clearing inlets and gullies while sandbags and pumping arrangements will be in place in known problem locations.

Members of the public are advised to stay high, stay dry and stay away from the coast, rivers and lakes.  With strong gusts and high waves predicted, people are urged to refrain from visiting coastal areas.

Members of the public are also asked to exercise extreme caution as driving conditions may be hazardous, with surface and flash flooding possible. Motorists are advised to avoid driving through flowing or standing water and to exercise caution during heavy rain. Motorists are also asked to be conscious of vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.

Forecasted conditions may give rise to localised power outages. In the event of a disruption to the power supply, contact ESB Networks at 1800 372 999.

In the event of disruption to water supply, contact Uisce Éireann at 1800 278 278.

Further weather updates are available by visiting www.met.ie

Agnes, which is the first of 21 storm names in a new list released recently, refers to Agnes Mary Clerke, the Skibbereen-born astronomer, lived on Bridge Street, where a shopfront still bears the family name.

She is credited as being the founder of what is today referred to as ‘popular science.’

Agnes was widely accomplished, and broke through many gender barriers – she even has a crater named after her, but she still remains unknown to many.

After this week, she may be more of a household name.