People urged to avoid coastal areas during storm on Isle of Man

The Isle of Man’s coastline has been battered by waves as severe gales brought by Storm Bram hit, with people warned to avoid coastal areas and expect travel disruption.

A rare red weather warning for “major volumes of water and debris” being brought onto coastal roads was put in place by Ronaldsway Met Office around the time of high tide until 16:00 GMT, with several exposed roads closed during the period.

An amber warning for winds potential storm force winds was in place a further two hours as gusts of up to 70mph (113km/h) brought down trees and damages several buildings.

All of the day’s ferry sailings were called off , and several flights to and from the island were cancelled or delayed.

Red weather warnings are issued when there is a risk to life and substantial disruption to travel and infrastructure.

Castletown promenades, Shore Road in Rushen, and the northern end of Douglas Promenade were most at risk, with Ramsey and Laxey Promenades also affected.

Weather warnings were also in place in several parts of the UK as Storm Bram brings heavy rain and strong winds on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The A18 Mountain Road was closed until at least 21:00 on safety grounds amid the strong winds, with an extended closure also in place on Shore Road in Rushen.

Athol Street in Douglas was shut for safety reasons, and police said the gales had caused damage to the roof at QEII High School in Peel and a kiosk on Ramsey Promenade, with people urged to avoid all three areas.

Parking on the Douglas promenade walkway was suspended for the day, while Bus Vannin services were subject to disruption because of the diversions in force during the various road closures.

Work was carried out to deal with fallen trees on several roads, including the area of Station Road and Patrick Road in St John’s, the Ballamoda Straight, and Upper Dukes Road in Douglas.

The Department of Infrastructure also warned of branches and trees coming down on other roads across the island, and have asked people to be prepared for debris on roads.

Flooding in the area of Greeba Castle caused difficult driving conditions for evening commuters heading west out of the capital.

An emergency road closure was put in place earlier on Garey Road in Lezayre after the river burst its banks overnight, leaving the road “impassable due to flooding”.

Residents in areas at most risk of flooding from coastal overtopping were contacted directly by the island’s Civil Defence division ahead of the storm arriving, with sandbags made available at various locations to protect properties.

Tuesday afternoon’s gales and coastal overtopping followed heavy downpours bringing up to 1.8in (45mm) of rainfall in the early hours, causing standing water on many of the islands roads.

The Isle of Man Fire Service said it had responded to four people in a car stranded by flood water in the north of the island.

A spokesman said the occupants, who were uninjured, were rescued from the roof of the vehicle at about 08:45.

The Department for Environment, Food and Agriculture urged people to avoid glens and plantations during the gales, and to be aware of storm related damage to trees in the days to follow.