[ad_1]
Met Éireann has issued Status Yellow wind and rain warnings for Ireland, as Storm Bella is expected to hit the country later today.
Gusts of up to 110 km / h are forecast as the storm sweeps through Ireland throughout the afternoon and tonight.
A state yellow wind advisory goes into effect from 3 pm this afternoon until 4 am tomorrow with winds of up to 65 km / h.
The forecaster said that with the combination of strong winds, high waves and a predicted storm surge, there is a risk of coastal flooding along the west coast.
A separate state yellow rain warning will be in place from 3:00 pm to 4:00 am tomorrow, as heavy rains will move south over the country with possible localized flooding in some areas.
Here is the latest wind, temperature and rain forecast from our HARMONIE weather model. Covers the period from now until early Monday morning. More information about the weather forecast for the next days and the forecast period can be found here: https://t.co/9gKN6SVok4 pic.twitter.com/pq274K4PF0
– I met Éireann (@MetEireann) December 26, 2020
In the UK, an amber wind advisory has been issued, warning that travel could be interrupted, for parts of South Wales and across southern England.
Meanwhile, a yellow wind warning has also been issued for all of England and Wales, as well as the southern tip of Scotland, which will take effect from 3pm.
A yellow rain warning was also issued for parts of Scotland, Wales and much of the north and south west of England, including areas where there have already been floods from recent rains.
Bedfordshire Police yesterday “strongly urged” residents living near the River Great Ouse in North Bedfordshire to seek alternative accommodation due to flood fears.
Northamptonshire Police urged people to stay away from the Billing Aquadrome holiday park, after hundreds of people were evacuated on Christmas Eve due to high water levels in the River Nene.
The force said water levels had reached 1.52m in some places, and emergency services used boats to get residents of the worst affected areas to safety.
Most of the evacuees were able to find accommodation to spend the night with friends and family, with a special exemption from Covid-19 restrictions, while about 100 people were transferred to a hotel.
Additional reporting PA
[ad_2]