Storm Agnes tears roof off building in Youghal’s front strand

Storm Agnes tears roof off building in Youghal’s front strand

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Storm Agnes left its mark in Youghal when it tore the zinc roof covering from a building on the town’s Front Strand.

The structure collapsed onto adjacent electricity wires.

The roof was part of a bar and reception area owned by Youghal businessman Kirby Kearns and which formed an annex station to a former station master’s house which Mr Kearns converted to living quarters five years ago.

Proprietor of the local Clancy’s bar, Pádraig Hennessy said the damage occurred with “a major surge of wind” shortly before noon. Youghal fire brigade and gardaí quickly secured the scene.

ESB Crews assessing the damage to lines following the roof being blown off a building along the Front Strand in Youghal. Picture: Howard Crowdy
ESB Crews assessing the damage to lines following the roof being blown off a building along the Front Strand in Youghal. Picture: Howard Crowdy

The property is understood to have been unoccupied at the time and there were no injuries. Power was suspended as workers removed the roof.

The hazardous conditions are also making travel conditions very difficult for commuters as a number of roads have seen spot flooding around Cork this morning, including Killumney village, Monahan Road, Rathcooney and Carrigaline. 

In Blarney, the R579 is currently closed as the river has burst its banks. 

Cork City Council have asked motorists to drive with caution as “conditions are hazardous.” 

A spokesperson explained: “Two Fire Service appliances from Youghal are in attendance with the local road temporarily closed. In the interests of Health and Safety, Cork County Council is asking members of the public to avoid the area at this time”

In Wexford, a high-sided vehicle flipped over to its side following sudden gusts near Ferns today. 

According to a post from Carlow Weather, the driver was thankfully okay. 

Trampolines around the country were also being blown out of gardens.

Power Outages

Meanwhile, ESB crews are currently working to restore power to over 13,300 properties across Munster. 

In Cork, over 8,500 businesses and homes across Cork including Ringaskiddy, Rathmore, Mallow, have been left without power this morning. 

In Tipperary, nearly 3,200 customers are without electricity as well while in Kerry, over 800 properties have been affected. 

Power is expected to be restored in the early evening for the affected areas.  

Flooding on Monastery Hill, Rochestown Road. Picture: Larry Cummins
Flooding on Monastery Hill, Rochestown Road. Picture: Larry Cummins

Meanwhile, Doneraile Wildlife Park and Fota Wildlife Park have closed as a result of Storm Agnes. 

In Mayo, the Irish Coast Guard is currently coordinating a tow for a large sailing vessel off the West Coast. 

Lifeboats from Achill Island and Clifden have been tasked to help bring the vessel ashore in difficult sea conditions during Storm Agnes. 

Weather warnings

The status orange rain warning for Cork, Kerry and Waterford was lifted at 3pm. 

A status orange wind warning has also come into place for a number of counties, including Cork, Kerry, Tipperary, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Wicklow.

Met Éireann says “very strong and gusty southerly winds with some severe and damaging gusts” can be expected between 9am and 5pm today.

In an update this morning, Met Éireann says Sherkin Island has so far recorded a mean speed of 69km/h and gusts of 111km/h.

These strong winds could lead to coastal flooding, difficult travel conditions, fallen trees and power outages.

A Status Yellow rain warning will remain in effect through the afternoon and evening for Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Carlow, Dublin, Kilkenny, Wexford and Wicklow.

Council workers cleaning up after a tree fell across the road at Rafeen, Cork in the high winds associated with Storm Agnes. Picture: Dan Linehan
Council workers cleaning up after a tree fell across the road at Rafeen, Cork in the high winds associated with Storm Agnes. Picture: Dan Linehan

Met Éireann warns driving conditions during this time will be difficult due to localised flooding and poor visibility on the roads.

The weather warning is in place from 7am until midnight.

Meanwhile, a Status Yellow wind warning has been issued for all counties in Munster, and Leinster and will also include Galway between 7am and midnight tonight.

In the North, a Status Yellow wind warning has been issued by the Met Office for the six counties until 7am on Thursday morning.

A level two storm forecast has been issued across Ireland for severe wind gusts and tornadoes by the European Storm Forecast Experiment.

Carlow Weather’s Alan O’Reilly said there was a small risk of local tornadoes from Storm Agnes today. 

Road closures no longer required says Cork City Council

Up to 35mm of rain is expected in Cork across a 24-hour period as Met Éireann says rainfall will continue in the county after the Status Orange warning period expires. 

The latest Storm Agnes weather models show the peak of the storm moving through Cork area quicker than in the forecast, which means it won’t coincide with high tide at rush-hour this evening, reducing the risk of flooding on low-lying quays.

In a lunchtime update, Cork City Council confirmed that the road closures and lane restrictions announced yesterday will no longer be required as it is not “predicting any tidal flooding at 5pm this evening.” 

However, rainfall and strong winds are expected to continue and motorists are being urged to drive with care and to slow down as driving conditions may be poor, with strong winds blowing debris around, heavy rain affecting visibility and risk of spot flooding on roads. 

“This morning, a number of trees flew across the city due to the strong winds and there were a number of minor localised flooding issues,” the statement read. 

“Cork City Council Roads, Drainage and Parks crews have been onsite all morning addressing these issues, clearing debris, fallen trees and branches from roads and to address surface flooding issue.

“Cork City Council would like to remind communities and businesses that the two Orange Weather Warnings remain in place until later this afternoon and that they need to continue to take due care and attention of this significant weather event,” it added. 

The Council is also urging members of the public to secure all bins, trampolines and garden furniture. 

Cancelled flights 

Four scheduled flights at Cork Airport have been cancelled due to “inclement weather conditions”. 

These include: 

  • Aer Lingus – Cork to London 
  • Aer Lingus – London to Cork 
  • KLM – Amsterdam Schiphol to Cork 
  • KLM – Cork to Amsterdam Schiphol 

Passengers intending to travel today are being advised to check the current status of their flight with their airline before travelling to the airport. 

A Daa spokesperson said both “Dublin Airport and Cork Airport are open and operating as normal today”. 



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