Storm Bram: 25,000 remain without power, country on high alert for flooding after storm struck with gusts of up to 120kmh

"Some 25,000 homes and businesses were still without power last night, mostly in counties Cork, Tipperary, Wexford, Limerick and Kildare. The south Atlantic storm significantly strengthened as it approached the Irish coast early yesterday morning and struck with powerful wind gusts of almost 120kmh. There were a number of lucky escapes reported nationwide with a fallen tree narrowly missing a bus in Wicklow and another tree toppling just metres from a family home in Cork."

"Ireland is now on high alert for flooding amid fears the heavy rainfall associated with Storm Bram - combined with torrential rainfall over the weekend - will cause rivers and streams to break their banks. Cork city suffered the worst of the flooding with some city centre quays closed and a number of low-lying roads outside the city proving impassable though no major property damage was reported."

"Flooding hit Waterford's Plunkett railway station where operations had to be suspended after the tracks became totally submerged. Thousands of Dublin commuters faced travel misery yesterday evening as Dart services between Grand Canal Dock and Lansdowne Road had to be suspended due to storm debris on overhead lines. Coastal flooding was also reported in Tramore and Dungarvan in Waterford as well as Blackrock in Louth and Clontarf in Dublin."

Storm Bram brought powerful winds and heavy rain across Ireland, with gusts near 120 km/h and about 25,000 homes and businesses left without power, mostly in Cork, Tipperary, Wexford, Limerick and Kildare. The storm heightened flood risk after intense weekend rainfall and prompted a high alert for potential river and stream breaches. Cork city experienced the worst flooding, closing some quays and impassable low-lying roads, though no major property damage was reported. Flood defences held at high tides, limiting major coastal damage. Rail and commuter services were suspended in parts of Waterford and Dublin, while flights and ferries were widely disrupted as clean-up began.

Read at Irish Independent