Ireland: Storm Ellen sends severe winds and crashing waves to coast

Louth, Ireland: Waves caused by Storm Ellen crashed over a beach barrier on Ireland's northeast coast on Thursday morning, as the Irish Meteorological Service warned of "very severe and destructive winds" coming off the North Atlantic Ocean.

Eyewitness footage from Blackrock in Louth County, about 75km (46mi) north of the capital Dublin, showed wave after wave slamming against a beach side road as flags flapped uncontrollably. 331km (205mi) south of Louth, a rarely used status red wind warning was in place for the county of Cork from 9 p.m. until midnight on Wednesday, with an orange wind warning in place for the other counties in the south and west of the country.

A red warning means there is the potential for widespread gusts of wind in excess of 130 km per hour (80 miles per hour). The areas likely to be hit hardest are popular with holidaymakers, whose numbers have increased this year as people avoid foreign travel because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The authorities have urged people in mobile holiday homes or on campsites in parts of southwest Cork to seek shelter or find alternative accommodation.