Storm Bert brings heavy rain and strong winds
Getty Images/Brian Jacksonfallen trees
It warned this could lead to severe flooding and property damage in affected areas, as well as difficult driving conditions.
In Northern Ireland, the traffic watch service said wind and rain were “starting to cause problems for motorists” on Saturday morning.
A tree and utility lines have fallen on Belfast Road in Newtownards, partially blocking the road.
In County Tyrone, Dergbrough Road in Plumbridge is completely closed due to a fallen tree.
The coast road at Ballygally is also closed due to rock falls, believed to be related to Storm Bert.
TrafficWatchNI also reported “very difficult driving conditions” in some higher areas, including Glenshane Pass, Coleraine Mountain Road, Windyhill Road in Limavady and Glenpark Road in Omagh.
Met Éireann’s red alert – the highest level of alert – will remain in place until 10:00 local time on Saturday.
It has also issued an orange warning for rainfall for counties Waterford, Kerry, Clare, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim over the same period.
A yellow warning for snow/ice, rain and strong winds is in effect for County Donegal until midday.
The county was hardest hit by the blackout, with about 12,000 people without power, particularly in the Gweedore and Buncrana areas.
Other counties affected include Kerry, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon and Galway.
Why and how are storms named?
Storm naming is a practice that helps meteorologists communicate with the public when they need to provide advice about hazardous or damaging weather events.
Certain criteria must be met before a storm can be named.
Burt is the second named storm of the 2024/25 season, which begins on September 1.
It turned out to be Thursday named by Ireland’s Met Éireann Because Irish forecasters believe it could cause serious damage to the Republic of Ireland.
Met Éireann works with the Met Office and the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (RNMI) every year to monitor, classify and name storms.
The three organizations agree on an alphabetical list before each season.
Damaging snow fell in parts of Northern Ireland on Friday ahead of the arrival of Storm Burt.
Some Translink services were not running on Friday morning, including buses serving Belfast, Ballygowan, Derryboy, Omagh and Newcastle.
