Storm Debi, the fourth named storm of the season, sweeps through, unleashing powerful winds and heavy rainfall. The Met Office has issued cautionary alerts for Northern Ireland, Wales, north-west England, and north-east Scotland, anticipating gusts reaching up to 80mph in exposed coastal areas and 65mph inland.
This disturbing weather system has already resulted in power outages and disrupted travel in several areas, with specific regions bearing the brunt of its force. Northern Ireland experienced road closures and disruptions in public transport networks, leaving around 3,000 customers without power, predominantly in Craigavon, Newry, and Downpatrick.
In Wales, gusts reaching up to 77mph pounded the coastal regions following a yellow weather warning issued across various areas. The storm's severity prompted an amber warning in Counties Armagh and Down in south-west Northern Ireland and continues in parts of north-west England, including Cumbria, Lancashire, and Merseyside, suggesting a potential risk to life and property.
In addition, yellow weather warnings for wind include much of northern England and Wales, impacting cities like Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Bangor, and St Davids. The storm's influence extends further with a yellow warning for rain in parts of north-east Scotland, previously battered by Storm Babet, causing evacuations from flooded homes.
Storm Debi's origins trace back to the Republic of Ireland, where red weather warnings were initially in place, resulting in significant power loss in over 100,000 homes and businesses, with the number expected to rise.
The stormy conditions are forecasted to heavily impact Irish Sea coasts, leading to potential damage to buildings