Storm Babbitt, which arrived with heavy rain, caused flooding in Ireland by dawn on Thursday.
In the southern Irish town of Middleton, 100 buildings were flooded, and the army is also helping to evacuate residents, British news agency PA Media reported. Footage of the flood shows people wading through waist-deep water.
Many people were without power in Middleton, but heavy rains also caused problems in other cities.
County Cork received more rain in 24 hours than at any other time during the entire month.
Storm Babet caused damage and disruption in some parts of Ireland.
Here is the city of Middleton in south-eastern County Cork pic.twitter.com/0XBFF6N60a
– BBC Weather (@bbcweather) October 19, 2023
A rare red level storm warning has also been issued for parts of the UK – especially eastern Scotland – due to expected strong winds and flash flooding. According to the warning, which continues until Saturday, the settlements could be isolated from the outside world for several days due to the expected rainfall equivalent to one month’s amount and the resulting floods.
Schools in the worst-hit area of Scotland will close at noon on Thursday, with no classes on Friday “for the safety of children, parents and school staff”.
ScotRail has canceled a number of services for the period from Thursday to Saturday.
This is the first time since February 2020 that a red alert has been issued in the UK due to heavy rain. According to the Met Office, between 200 and 250 mm of rain could fall per day in eastern Scotland for several days.
