CALLUM OF THE WILD..
»»77mph gales »»experts say we batter coastline escaped the worst
A MAN faces the awesome power of Storm Callum as it barrelled into the West of Ireland yesterday.
Standing defiantly at Blackrock swimming tower in Salthill, Co Galway, he was lashed by monster waves as the Atlantic storm pummelled the coast.
Winds of more than 77mph roared, uprooting trees and leaving thousands of homes without power and flights grounded.
But weather experts who met to assess the damage reckon we escaped the worst of Callum’s might.
The source said: “It did not hit in all areas as hard as it could have, resulting in minimal disruption.” Weather warn- ings were downgraded but severe conditions continued to cause havoc as they swept across the country yesterday.
The strongest gusts were recorded at Belmullet, Co Mayo, yesterday morning as the West felt the full force.
More than 60,000 homes and businesses were left without power across the country.
Several flights were cancelled out of Dublin and Belfast due to the storm, but airports were otherwise operating as normal.
An Orange Warning had been in place for all coastal counties across the Republic and Met Eireann had earlier warned of potential risk to life and property.
ESB reported multiple faults, with counties Cork, Kerry and Donegal among the worst hit.
In a tweet the energy company urged people to be wary of fallen trees while downed power cables also posed a risk.
The National Emergency Coordination Group, chaired by John Barry, met in Dublin yesterday morning to assess how Callum had affected the
country.
It later said in statement: “Storm
tracked as forecast by Met Eireann with the worst of the storm affecting the West coast and fortunately did not hit in all areas as hard as it could have, resulting in minimal disruption. Thanks to preparations by all agencies involved, coastal areas were protected from certain flooding. “Galway in particular was protected by the aqua dam put in place. “Assistance was also provided by the Defence Forces and the Civil Defence through, among other measures, filling of sandbags.
“ESB Networks reports some disruption to electricity supply nationally, with approxicallum mately 60,000 households without power at one point.
“Some disruption has been reported to transport infrastructure.
“Work is ongoing to resolve outstanding issues.
“Even though the worst of the storm has passed, people should stay away from coastal areas for the duration of the Orange warning.”
That warning expired at 5pm yesterday.
It will be calmer after the storm over the weekend – but the public was told to be braced for heavy rain today.
Met Eireann said the downpours will extend into the evening especially in the North. However, most places will be dry by tomorrow.
The spokesman added: “Sunday will be mostly dry to start with good sunshine for the morning and scattered showers developing for the afternoon.
“Temperatures 11C or 12C with mainly moderate South-west winds falling light southerly later.
“Lowest temperatures Sunday night about 5C or 6C.
“Monday is looking dry but there’s uncertainty on this due to unsettled and mobile conditions, so the timing of the arrival of any rain may vary.”