Storm Chandra: potential for damage and disruption as amber weather warning issued for Northern Ireland
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for strong winds across parts of Northern Ireland on Tuesday (January 27).
The Storm Chandra related alert will be in place from 5am until 9pm for Co Antrim, Co Down and Co Londonderry.
It is forecast to bring very strong winds, leading to the potential for damage and disruption on Tuesday.
The Met Office says easterly winds will increase on Tuesday morning bringing gusts of 60-70 mph to eastern and northern parts with a few coastal locations seeing gusts of 75 mph. Heavy rain will be an additional hazard.
Winds , forecasters added, may ease a little early in the afternoon, before increasing to similar speeds once more from a south-easterly direction late afternoon and early evening.
The public is advised to expect the following:
- Large waves could bring additional impacts to some eastern coastal areas;
- Longer journey times and cancellations likely, as road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected;
- Some roads and bridges likely to close;
- There is a good chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage;
- Probably some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs;
- Flying debris is likely and could lead to Injuries or danger to life;
- Injuries and danger to life is likely from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties.
A yellow warning for heavy rain and strong winds has also been issued and will be in effect throughout Tuesday for all parts of the province.
A yellow warning for heavy rain is already in place from noon until midnight on Monday (January 26).
Meanwhile, councils will be providing updates on their websites of disruptions to services and facilities.