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The Independent UK

National

Chiara Giordano

Storm Brendan news – live: Almost 50,000 customers without power as 80mph winds pummel UK and Ireland

Winds of up to 80mph are expected to hit parts of the UK as Storm Brendan sweeps in.

All schools and nurseries have been shut as a precaution in the Western Isles of Scotland, where the council has warned bus services are also likely to be cancelled.

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings of high winds across much of the UK for the next two days.

While the Republic of Ireland is expected to bear the brunt of the storm, with Met Eireann putting out an orange wind warning for the entire country.

2020-01-13T09:52:00.523Z

Good morning and welcome to today's live blog.

We'll be keep you updated with all the latest news on Storm Brendan, which is expected to hit the UK today.

2020-01-13T09:57:31.670Z

Weather warnings for 80mph winds

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for gusts up to 80mph across much of the UK from 10am until midnight today and 12pm until midnight tomorrow.

The western half of the UK is expected to be most affected today, with the weather warnings moving across to cover the rest of the country on Tuesday.

The Republic of Ireland will be most affected by the storm, with Met Eireann putting out an orange wind warning for the entire country.

2020-01-13T10:08:02.493Z

Whole of country to see rain at some point

Everywhere in the UK will see rain at some point today, although the storm is expected to move through quickly, according to Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge.

The Met Office has warned disruption to travel is likely and coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities may be affected by spray or large waves.

There could also be some short term loss to power and other services.

2020-01-13T10:35:25.816Z

'Severe and damaging' winds to move across Ireland

A band of severe wind are expected to move from west to east across the country between 11am and 3pm, bringing gusts of up to 80mph, according to Met Éireann.

2020-01-13T10:38:48.093Z

Footage from Galway as Storm Brendan arrives in Ireland

2020-01-13T10:54:15.626Z

Ferries and flights cancelled

Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has cancelled many sailings including services to and from Barra, Coll, Harris, Islay, Tiree and North and South Uist.

The Scottish airline Loganair has offered passengers booked on several routes today the chance to switch to any date in the coming week without charge.

Irish Ferries has also cancelled all four ferries between Pembroke and Rosslare and says most sailings on Tuesday are either cancelled or “in doubt”.

The worst-affected airport at present is Shannon in the west of Ireland. Some Aer Lingus flights to and from Birmingham, Edinburgh and Heathrow have been grounded.

Full details from travel correspondent Simon Calder:

Storm Brendan: ferries and flights cancelled amid 90mph winds

2020-01-13T11:01:10.156Z

Schools and nurseries closed

All schools and nurseries have been closed in the Western Isles of Scotland.

The strongest winds are expected around exposed coasts and hills with gusts of 60-70mph likely, and gusts of up to 80mph possible in some places, particularly around the west coast of Scotland.

Western Isles Council has closed all schools and nurseries to pupils as a precaution for the day, though schools are open for staff who are expected to attend "when they deem it safe to do so".

The council said that all bus services in the area are also likely to be cancelled on Monday.

2020-01-13T11:46:09.323Z

Flood warnings

A number of flood warnings and alerts are in place across the UK.

The Environment Agency has issued two flood warnings, meaning immediate action is required, for Keswick campsite in the Lake District and North Bank Road alongside the River Nene near Peterborough.

There are also currently 55 flood alerts in place, stretching across England from Lizard Point on the south Cornwall coast to Silloth in Cumbria.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency also has 12 flood warnings and 16 flood alerts in place, while Natural Resources Wales has issued five alerts.

2020-01-13T12:05:36.000Z

Coastguard issues waves warning

The Irish Coastguard has warned people to stay away from breaking waves during today's unpredictable weather.

2020-01-13T12:26:36.000Z

Storm Brendan his parts of Ireland and Scotland

Video footage shared on social media shows the storm has already hit at Sailcoats, in Scotland, and many parts of Ireland including Cork, Kerry and Donegal.

2020-01-13T12:45:37.000Z

Trampoline causes chaos on motorway

A trampoline is reportedly loose on the M7 in Limerick, Ireland.

Video footage shared on Twitter shows traffic swerving to avoid the obstruction in the middle lane of the motorway.

A trampoline was filmed rolling down a road in Inverness, Scotland, during a similar incident a few days ago

Dublin Fire Brigade issued advice warning people to secure loose items around their homes, including wheelie bins, garden furniture, trampolines – and 40ft inflatable film stars.

2020-01-13T13:05:37.000Z

'Several hours of very dangerous weather'

Head of forecasting at Met Eireann has warned of "several hours of very dangerous weather" in Ireland.

Evelyn Cusack said: "Thankfully the storm centre is keeping out to the northwest of Ireland but we are going to get several hours of dangerous weather as that transfers across the country."

Met Eireann has issued out an orange wind warning for the entire country.

Ms Cusack told RTE radio pressure is falling rapidly in the west of the country where winds are picking up and there is a risk of localised flooding, local structural damage and uprooted trees.

2020-01-13T13:25:37.000Z

Visitor attractions and bridges closed in Scotland

Restrictions are in place on several bridges in Scotland, with the Cromarty, Dornoch, Skye and Kessock bridges among those closed to high-sided vehicles.

Some visitor attractions have also been affected, with Dumbarton Castle and Dundonald Castle shut due to the weather.

Edinburgh Zoo has said its last admission will be at 1pm due to the storm.

2020-01-13T13:44:12.103Z

Thousands of homes and businesses without power across Ireland

Almost 50,000 customers have reportedly been hit by power cuts in Ireland as Storm Brendan sweeps through the country.

Power outages have been reported by ESB Networks across the country, mostly in Mayo, Kerry and Galway, with further cuts expected.

ESB spokesperson Derek Hynes told the Irish Times around 48,000 homes and businesses are without power.

The company wrote on Twitter: "We apologise if you have lost power supply during #StormBrendan."

2020-01-13T14:42:39.376Z

Sea wall collapses

A sea wall has reportedly collapsed in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Ireland, causing police to close the road.

Video footage shows traffic struggling to drive through inches of water as waves crash over a wall.

Kevin Scott, who shared the clip on Twitter, wrote: "Absolutely horrendous conditions on the Belfast Road in Carrickfergus. Police have now closed the road as the sea wall collapses."

2020-01-13T15:16:35.560Z