Storm Jocelyn is set to batter the North West later today likely with a new amber wind warning for Donegal and a yellow alert for Derry.
The latest storm is due to arrive here just hours after the worst storm to hit the region in years, Storm Isha, tracked eastward towards Britain.
Met Éireann has once again urged people to exert caution as it warns of further potential damage across the county.
The Met Office has issued a yellow wind warning for Derry and the other five counties in the north, valid from 4pm today, Tuesday, January 23, through to 1pm tomorrow.
It has cautioned people to expect “strong winds in association with Storm Jocelyn, leading to possible disruption to travel and utilities”.
Donegal is one of only three counties among the 32 to have been issued with an Orange warning, along with Mayo and Galway, at present, with Met Éireann forecasting that Storm Jocelyn will bring “very strong southwest to west winds with severe and damaging gusts.”
The orange warning is valid from 6pm on Tuesday to 2pm on Wednesday, with a broader yellow warning bracketing this and coming into effect at 12 noon and lasting through to 5am on Wednesday.
Potential or likely impacts could once again see large coastal waves with wave over-topping, very difficult travelling conditions, more fallen trees, further damage to power lines.
Met Eireann states: “Today will be wet and windy as Storm Jocelyn tracks to the northwest of Ireland. Very strong and gusty southwesterly winds will develop through the day, with the strongest winds in the west and northwest and gales on coasts.
“There will be widespread rain during the morning and afternoon, followed by scattered showers in the evening. Highest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees.
“Strong winds continuing for a time Tuesday night with the very strong and gusty southwest to west wind easing overnight.
“Clear spells and scattered showers at first, becoming isolated as the night goes on. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees.”
About 7,000 homes and businesses remain without power in the North of Ireland, with electricity restored to about 46,000 customers.
In the Republic, 57,000 customers are without power.
More than 25,000 ESB customers across Donegal are still without power this morning, ESB Networks has confirmed.
The worrying news is that it could be days before all are restored to the grid.
The main areas where customers remain without power include Moville (approx. 16,000 customers), Carndonagh (approx. 1,900 customers), Milford (approx. 1,400 customers), Stranorlar (approx. 1,400 customers) and other parts of the county such as Cullion, Buncrana and Ballyshannon.
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