Ireland’s Tourism Infrastructure Tested by Storm Bert: Flooding Hits Killybegs, Dundonald, and Antrim’s Popular Travel Routes – Travel And Tour World

Storm Bert has unleashed significant damage across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, leaving homes flooded, thousands without power, and transportation networks heavily disrupted. With heavy rain, strong winds, and snowmelt causing rivers to overflow, the storm has become the second named storm of the 2024/25 season.

Flooding in Northern Ireland: Homes and Infrastructure Impacted

In Northern Ireland, the counties of Down and Tyrone were among the hardest hit. Up to 10 homes in Coalisland have been flooded, while several properties near Moat Park, Dundonald, remain submerged in dirty floodwater. Fire crews have been deployed to pump water from affected areas, with residents in Park Avenue unable to leave their homes.

Kelly Kitchen, a Dundonald resident, described the devastation her son faced: “He woke up to find his house flooded with water, and even the fridge was floating in the kitchen.” Some residents have sought refuge in a nearby church hall while firefighters continue their efforts to reduce water levels.

The flooding has also impacted local businesses, with a mail distribution center in Mallusk, Newtownabbey, among the properties inundated.

Travel Chaos Across Roads and Railways

Storm Bert has caused widespread travel disruptions. The railway line between Belfast and Antrim remains closed, while services between Belfast and Dublin have only recently resumed. Roads across Northern Ireland have been closed due to rockfalls, landslides, and fallen trees, including the Greenhill Road in County Fermanagh and sections of the A4.

A gritter vehicle became stranded in snow on the Coleraine Mountain Road, further complicating travel conditions. The TrafficWatchNI service has warned of hazardous driving conditions, particularly in higher areas like the Glenshane Pass and Windyhill Road in Limavady.

P&O Ferries canceled the 4:00 AM sailing between Larne and Cairnryan but accommodated passengers on a later sailing. Additionally, Ballymena United’s football match against Larne was called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ballymena Showgrounds.

Power Outages Leave Thousands in the Dark

Approximately 3,500 homes in Northern Ireland and 34,000 in the Republic of Ireland are without power as Storm Bert damages overhead power lines. Counties Cork, Galway, and Donegal have reported some of the most significant outages. Bridge Street in Killybegs, County Donegal, experienced severe flooding, adding to the region’s woes.

Snow and Wind Add to the Challenges

Northern Ireland experienced its strongest winds at Ballypatrick, County Antrim, with gusts reaching 67 mph, while Derrylin in County Fermanagh received a quarter of its average November rainfall in just 12 hours. Snowfall in higher regions compounded the difficulties, with road closures and accidents reported.

In the Republic of Ireland, Malin Head in County Donegal recorded the highest wind gust at 71 mph. Met Éireann issued red warnings for heavy rain in west Cork and west Galway, with images showing the River Feale in west Limerick bursting its banks.

Ongoing Threats and Warnings

Storm Bert’s impact is far from over. Weather forecasters predict a new round of strong winds on Sunday, with the Met Office issuing a yellow warning for winds reaching up to 65 mph. These conditions are expected to cause further disruption and potentially exacerbate existing flooding as snowmelt continues to feed into rivers.

BBC weather presenter Cecelia Daly noted, “Flooding will remain a hazard as rivers continue to rise. Gusts similar to those of Saturday could lead to further damage.”

How Storms Like Bert Are Named

Storm Bert is the second named storm of the 2024/25 season, following a naming convention agreed upon by the UK Met Office, Ireland’s Met Éireann, and the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute. The names are chosen alphabetically to facilitate clear communication about severe weather events.

Community Resilience Amid the Storm

Despite the challenges, local communities are showing resilience. In Dundonald, sandbags were sourced from a nearby Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) club to protect homes. Firefighters and Rivers Agency staff continue to work tirelessly to mitigate the damage and assist affected residents.

As the storm continues, authorities are urging residents to remain cautious and prioritize safety. Updated road closures, transport disruptions, and power restoration efforts are being shared through official channels.