Storm Amy has already battering Britain and Ireland with thousands of homes struck with power cuts and 100mph causing a danger to life warning, as the first victim of weather has sadly died
Storm Amy is set to batter the country with 100mph winds and heavy rain causing major travel disruption. The first named storm of the season has prompted weather warnings throughout Britain.
A Met Office amber warning for “damaging winds” is in place until 9am Saturday (October 4). Parts of Scotland have been warned of a “danger to life” from flying debris, potential power cuts as well as road closures and damage to buildings.
All of Scotland, the north of England and the most western parts of Wales will also fall under yellow warning for wind until Sunday. Heavy rain and strong winds of up to 100mph are expected in exposed coastal areas.
The Met Office said: “Storm Amy is expected to bring a spell of strong winds to many parts of northern and western Britain. The strongest winds are most likely across portions of northern and western Scotland. The very strong winds will also be accompanied by spells of heavy rain, with difficult driving conditions likely, especially for high-sided vehicles on prone routes.”
The winds are expected to ease later on Saturday, but will continue to be strong in northern Scotland. Network Rail also urged people living near railways to “secure any loose garden furniture, sheds and trampolines, to avoid tracks being blocked by debris”.
A number of ferry sailings between Cairnryan in Dumfries and Galloway and Larne in Co Antrim have been cancelled. Flood warnings are also in place for parts of Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway as the heavy rain caused rivers to rise.
ScotRail said several railway lines in northern Scotland will close due to the conditions, with speed restrictions in place on all other routes. Police Scotland has urged motorists to drive carefully.
Chief Superintendent Scott McCarren, Police Scotland’s head of road policing, said: “I would encourage people to drive to the conditions and be aware of increased stopping distances. In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads.
“Drivers of vehicles vulnerable to being blown over should plan their route to avoid exposed areas or consider cancelling your journey until conditions improve.”
Storm Amy claimed it’s first victim this evening.. The victim, believed to be in his 40s, died in the weather-related incident in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, according to Gardai.
Emergency services including police and ambulance services rushed to the scene at approximately 4:15pm. The man’s remains were transported to the mortuary at Letterkenny University Hospital, where a post-mortem examination will be conducted in due course.
Gardaí are now conducting their investigations and the post-mortem results will determine the next course of action for the family. A file will now be compiled for the coroner.
Storm Amy also brought fierce winds and heavy rainfall across the British Isles after charging towards the UK and Ireland today. Roughly 50,000 properties have been left without electricity in Northern Ireland due to the tempest.
NIE Networks reported a “significant level of damage to the electricity networks” throughout the region.
Alex Houston, NIE Networks operations manager, explained: “Our incident management centre in Craigavon has been opened as have our local incident centres across Northern Ireland with staff across the company being escalated to assist with the response effort.
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