Ireland and UK – Storm Brian Causes Flooding

by in News, UK

Storm Brian brought strong winds, high waves and rain to parts of Ireland and UK from Saturday, 21 October, 2017. Some minor flooding was reported in several cities in Ireland and also in parts of northern England.

Storm Brian arrived soon after ex-hurricane Ophelia had caused wind damage and storm surge in the two countries on 16 October. At least 3 people died in Ireland as a result of strong winds.

Ireland

Met Éireann issued orange level wind warnings for coastal counties of the south and west along with a yellow rainfall warning. A yellow level wind warning was issued for all other parts of the country.

Irish Defence Forces members assisted local authorities with the preparation of flood defences at several locations.

In Limerick, the Shannon river overflowed, causing some flooding near river banks and on some roads. Minor flooding was also reported in Galway, Cork, Kilkenny and Waterford.

In a statement on 21 October, Ireland’s Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, as the Lead Government Department for the response to severe weather, said that “local authorities have been dealing principally with spot flooding on local roads and some regional roads”.

As of 22 October, Office of Public Works (OPW) data showed that rivers levels were still high in at least 4 locations.

Met Éireann said that gusts above 100km/h were recorded in Cork, Kerry, Clare and Galway.

United Kingdom

Flood defences were set up along coastal areas of England in anticipation of high waves and storm surge.  The Environment Agency said that flood defences had successfully prevented flooding in Fowey, Cornwall. Storm surges of more than 1 metre were recorded in Liverpool and Avonmouth.

Away from the coast, the heavy rain increased river levels in parts of northern England, causing some minor flooding in the counties of Lancashire and West Yorkshire.

In Lancashire, local media reported surface flooding in Darwen, Rossendale and Hyndburn. Some roads were closed, including A666 Blackburn Road in Darwen. Other roads were also flooded after the River Darwen overflowed its banks.

Firefighters were called to several incidents where property was flooded or threatened by flood water.

In Yorkshire, the BBC reported that flooding had affected homes and businesses in the Calder Valley. The the River Calder reached 2.053 metres at Hebden Bridge.

Capel Curig in Conwy County, North Wales, recorded the highest rainfall in the country of 48.4 mm between 20 and 21 October.

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