Storm Chandra Causes Widespread Disruption Across Ireland; Thousands Without Power, Flooding and Travel Chaos Reported

Dublin / Belfast: Storm Chandra continued to batter Ireland on Tuesday evening, prompting fresh warnings of further disruption as strong winds and heavy rain affected large parts of the island.

Weather alerts remained in place across both Northern Ireland and the Republic, with authorities warning of dangerous conditions, flooding, power outages, and travel disruption.

In Northern Ireland, wind and rain warnings were in effect until midnight, while an amber wind warning covered counties Antrim, Down, and Derry until 9pm. A yellow-level rain warning applied across all six counties until midnight. In the Republic of Ireland, a nationwide Status Yellow wind warning remained active, alongside a rain warning for south-eastern counties until 11pm.

The storm forced the closure of hundreds of schools and left tens of thousands of homes without electricity. Travel networks were significantly disrupted, with flooded roads, fallen trees, and cancelled transport services reported across the island.

Northern Ireland Impact

More than 300 schools were closed in Northern Ireland, while at least 30 flights were cancelled at Belfast City Airport. The Strangford Lough ferry service was suspended until conditions improved, and public transport operator Translink warned passengers to expect delays.

Police reported persistent rainfall had caused flooding on several roads. Northern Ireland Electricity said power outages peaked at around 9am, when approximately 10,000 properties were without supply.

Authorities warned the public of potential danger to life from flying debris, large coastal waves, flooding, fallen trees, damage to buildings, and further power cuts. Poor weather conditions are expected to continue into Wednesday morning, with the Met Office issuing a yellow ice warning for all of Northern Ireland between 3am and 10am.

Republic of Ireland: Flooding and Power Cuts

In the Republic, ESB Networks said around 20,000 homes, farms, and businesses lost power at the height of the storm, with restoration efforts continuing overnight.

Enniscorthy in County Wexford was among the worst-affected areas after the River Slaney burst its banks, flooding the town for the 16th time since 2001. One resident, grandmother Elaine Grant, described how she, her daughter Casey, and her three-week-old grandson were rescued from their flooded apartment by Slaney Search and Rescue. An empty rescue boat was brought to the building to transport essential items for the newborn.

Speaking to RTÉ Radio, Grant called for long-term government intervention to address persistent flooding in the town.

Dublin Fire Brigade responded to multiple flooding incidents after the River Dodder overflowed, while in Dundalk, firefighters rescued two ambulance crew members whose vehicle became trapped in floodwater beneath the Castletown Road railway bridge early on Tuesday morning.

Transport Disruption

Iarnród Éireann confirmed disruptions to DART services, and several ferry crossings between Dublin and Holyhead were cancelled. Dublin Airport reported that around 20 flights had been cancelled by Tuesday afternoon, warning that further cancellations were possible due to ongoing strong winds across Ireland, the UK, and parts of Europe.

Warnings and Government Response

Met Éireann forecaster Matthew Martin said Storm Chandra would continue to track northwards through Tuesday, with unsettled weather expected to persist for the rest of the week.

“There is potential for further travel disruption and flooding tonight,” he said.

Housing Minister James Browne said emergency services, local authorities, and state agencies had been coordinating since Monday to manage the storm’s impact.

“While weather warnings were issued at Yellow level, the impacts in some areas have been severe due to already saturated ground conditions,” he said.

Authorities continue to urge the public to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel as Storm Chandra’s effects linger across the island.