Storm Debi – live: London weather warning extended as Met Office warns of lightning damage to buildings

Yellow warnings currently in place as blustering winds and flooding wreak havoc across UK

Weather warning and ‘danger to life’ flood alert issued ahead of Storm Debi

A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms, heavy rain and severe gale-force wings has been extended across London and southern England, as Storm Debi continues to batter parts of the UK.

The Met Office has warned of potential damage to buildings from lightning strikes or strong winds, as well as a chance of power cuts, and possible travel disruption and delays.

In its update on Tuesday, the forecaster said the warning area has been adjusted to focus on southern and southeast England, with the end time delayed until mid-afternoon. The warning has been in place since 5am and was supposed to run until midday but has now been extended to 3pm.

It comes as multiple “danger to life” weather warnings were issued across the country on Monday.

High winds and rain from Storm Debi were causing road closures and disruption to public transport across Northern Ireland, as the Met Office warned of “danger to life” from flying debris, “fast flowing or deep floodwater”, and large waves in some areas.

Strong winds have also been recorded in the region on Tuesday morning, with the highest reaching 74mph at Killowen in Co Down.

Key Points

• Met Office extends London weather warning
• Thunderstorms and lightning to hit UK as new weather warning issued
• Mapped: When and where Storm Debi will hit as Amber warning issued
• What weather warnings are in place today?
• Northern Ireland hit by high winds and heavy rain as Storm Debi blows in

[13 November 2023 09:01 · Barney Davis]

Huge swathes of Galway left underwater as Storm Debi strikes last night

At least six people were rescued in Galway as Storm Debi made landfall causing significant damage to Ireland.

Galway is currently under a Status Orange wind warning until 10am this morning.

Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Galway County Council chief fire officer Gerry O’Malley said there is “considerable damage” around the city and county.

[13 November 2023 08:49 · Barney Davis]

Storm Debi knocks out power for 100,000 people

100,000 people were left without power supply on Monday morning as Storm Debi batters Ireland.

Brian Tapley, of ESB Networks, said crews expect to be working “late into the night” to restore power.

He said the worst affected areas are Tuam, Longford, the Midlands, Ashbourne and Navan.

(ESB)

He told RTE radio: “As soon as it is safe to do so, we will be deploying our crews.

“Obviously, the storm is still impacting different parts of the country so we’ll be slow to send out crews until it is safe to do so, but any emergency calls are being attended to.

A gust of 115kph was recorded at a Met Eireann weather station in Athenry, Co Galway, on Monday morning.

[13 November 2023 08:37 · Barney Davis]

Storm Debi branded ‘Most intense storm so far’ - Irish official

The Irish national director for fire and emergency management has said Storm Debi is “probably the most intense storm” of the season so far.

Keith Leonard said: “It was probably the high winds of that leading edge of the storm as it came across the country that was the most hazardous piece. So probably the most intense storm we’ve had so far in the season.”

He said there is a “general trend” of coastal flooding, for example in Galway City and Oranmore.

He told RTE radio: “But, thankfully, not too much structural damage being reported at the moment.”

[13 November 2023 08:30 · Tara Cobham]

In pictures: Storm Babet wreaked havoc across country last month

A resident looks at a local authority worker collecting damaged furniture from outside a property on Sherwood Street in Chesterfield, as the clean up began in the aftermath of Storm Babet (PA Wire)

Retford in Nottinghamshire was flooded after Storm Babet battered the UK (PA Wire)

Wendy Taylor, 57, who died after being swept into the Water of Lee, Glen Esk, was among those who last their lives in Storm Babet (Police Scotland/PA Wire)

[13 November 2023 08:22 · Holly Evans]

Scale of the damage will be clearer in daylight, says minister

Junior minister Patrick O’Donovan has said the scale of the damage in Ireland caused by Storm Debi will be clearer when it is brighter.

Mr O’Donovan, who has responsibility for the Office of Public Works, said the advice is to drive with extreme caution in areas where a weather warning was or is in place.

He told RTE Radio: “The local authority crews will (have only started) going out in the last while when the red warning was lifted in some counties. Once first light is achieved, they’ll be able to see the scale of the damage.

“We won’t be able to ascertain the full damage until later on in the morning.”

He said the national emergency co-ordination group was due to meet at 11am.

[13 November 2023 08:13 · Holly Evans]

Tens of thousands of homes without electricity

Power outages have been reported across Ireland as tens of thousands of homes are without electricity after Storm Debi battered the island overnight.

Spot flooding has been reported in areas of the west coast, including Salthill in Galway.

Trees are down in multiple locations, with drivers facing difficult conditions.

[13 November 2023 08:00 · Tara Cobham]

In pictures: Storm Ciaran battered UK earlier this month

Local residents collect bottles of water in Godalming, Surrey, as almost 12,000 people were without running water in after Storm Ciaran (PA)

The devastating aftermath of Storm Ciaran in Jersey captured by drone (AP)

Storm Ciaran brought high winds and heavy rain along the south coast of England (PA Wire)

[13 November 2023 07:30 · Stuti Mishra]

Storm Debi 'developed rapidly overnight,' says Met Office

The Met Office says Storm Debi, the fourth named storm of the season, "developed rapidly overnight" and is now set to unleash heavy winds on the UK.

The storm has developed, in part, because of a very strong jet stream crossing the Atlantic, the forecaster says.

The core of the jet stream is currently located to the south of the UK.

This strong jet stream is responsible for the very unsettled period of weather we are currently experiencing. Further areas of low pressure are forecast to develop and affect the UK during the coming week.

“Storm Debi has developed rapidly overnight and will bring impacts across parts of the UK today," Matthew Lehnert, a Chief Meteorologist with the Met Office, says.

"Because of the particular risk of impacts to parts of County Armagh and County Down this morning and parts of northwest England through much of the day we have issued two amber wind warnings.”

Within the warning areas the strongest winds are expected to reach 75mph, or even 80mph, in exposed coastal locations today, while inland areas are expected to see gusts of 60-65mph.

Two amber wind warnings for southeast Northern Ireland and northwest England are embedded within broader yellow warnings already in force across the whole of Northern Ireland, northern England and parts of Wales.

[13 November 2023 07:00 · Stuti Mishra]

Storm Debi causes power outages around Galway

[13 November 2023 06:30 · Stuti Mishra]

Videos show heavy rain and flooding in Ireland

Heavy rain and winds brought by Storm Debi have hit Ireland this morning. Residents have posted videos showing roads blustery showers leaving roads water logged.