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As it happenedended

Storm Callum: Thousands in Ireland without power as heavy winds hit Scotland

Teams scrambling to restore power to 10,000 properties in Ireland 

Zamira Rahim
Friday 12 October 2018 03:10 EDT
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Waves crash against harbour walls as Storm Callum hits Ireland

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Storm Callum swept across Ireland on Friday leaving thousands of homes and businesses without electricity.

More than 60,000 properties in the country were left without power at one point in the early hours.

ESB Networks, the operator, said that teams were working to restore power to the last 10,000 homes and businesses by Friday evening.

Around 1,000 homes and businesses in Northern Ireland also lost power.

The storm also brought heavy rain and strong winds to Scotland and parts of England.

Heavy rain caused secondary landslips in Argyll and Bute, where 300 tonnes of debris fell on to the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful.

The key road will remain closed for the weekend and motorists will be forced to take diversions of nearly 60 miles due to the closure.

"The landslides at the Rest and Be Thankful this week have been some of the most challenging in recent memory both for the community and for the teams working in difficult conditions," said Michael Matheson. the Scottish Transport Secretary.

Flights were cancelled throughout Friday from Dublin, Belfast and Exeter airports.

Yellow Met Office warnings for Scotland remain in place for wind and rain in the Highlands and Islands and Strathclyde areas throughout Friday.

"The wind gusts will approach 40-50 mph across western parts of Scotland, Wales, western England and Northern Ireland," said Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern.

"Accompanying high tides will be big waves and we could see coastal impacts from those and inland impacts from those strong winds as well."

"Later in the day as the deep low approaches north-west Scotland there is the risk of 70 mph gusts for exposed parts."

"The rain is also of concern with a lot of it to come through 36 hours over Friday and Saturday, especially for western parts of England, south-west Scotland and Wales."

If you want to read how Storm Callum progressed across the UK live, please see what was our live coverage below.

Western Power Distribution have said that more than 950 homes are without electricity in south west England and nearly 100 lack power in south Wales.

matt.payton112 October 2018 10:11

A number of Aer Lingus flights to and from Dublin Airport have been cancelled. Storm Callum has not had a significant impact on operations according to the airport's Twitter account.

matt.payton112 October 2018 10:29

Arriva Trains Wales has cancelled some trains in anticipation of extreme rainfall and coastal flooding in the Wales & Borders area this weekend.

matt.payton112 October 2018 10:39
matt.payton112 October 2018 10:45

Dublin City Council has said that outreach teams are working across the city to help rough sleepers access support and shelter during the storm.

matt.payton112 October 2018 10:52

The Environment Agency is urging motorists not to drive through flood water.

matt.payton112 October 2018 11:01

The Met Office has extended its yellow weather warning across the north east of England. 

matt.payton112 October 2018 11:08

Winds of 77 mph, the strongest so far, have been recorded at Capel Curig in Gwynedd, north Wales.

matt.payton112 October 2018 11:17

The Cobh/Fota road, a main road in Cork, has been closed due to a "mudslide", according to the AA.

matt.payton112 October 2018 11:30

Heavy rain has caused further landslips at the Rest and Be Thankful in Argyll and Bute, in Scotland, above the A83.

Engineers had been working to clear the key route before Storm Callum arrived. 

The road was closed after initial landslips earlier this week. 

matt.payton112 October 2018 11:40

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