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

People have been warned to avoid coastal areas and expect travel disruption as severe gales brought by Storm Bram begin to hit the Isle of Man.

A rare red weather warning for issued for “major volumes of water and debris” being brought onto coastal roads has been put in place from 13:00 to 16:00 GMT by Ronaldsway Met Office.

An amber warning has also been put in place for winds potentially reaching storm force, with gusts of up to 70mph (113km/h) expected in the afternoon.

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

Isle of Man Airport has urged passengers to monitor flight information and leave extra time.

Afternoon and evening flights affected include those travelling between the island and London Heathrow, Liverpool, Manchester, London City, and Dublin.

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

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

There was also a minor risk of inner harbour flooding at high tide due to the strong winds, they added.

Weather warnings have also been put 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 will close from 13:00 to 17:00 on safety grounds amid the strong winds.

A number of other road closures will be in force from 13:00 until 16:00:

• A section of Douglas Promenade and King Edward Road from Summerhill to Port Jack
• Ramsey Promenade
• Laxey Promenade
• Castletown Promenade
• Shore Road, Rushen between Gansey and Fishers Hill

Parking on the Douglas promenade walkway will also be suspended.

An emergency road closure has been put in place on Garey Road in Lezayre until at least 18:00 after the river burst its banks leaving the road “impassable due to flooding”.

Bus Vannin has warned of disruption to services, with a number diversions set to come into force during this period to accommodate the road closures during the period.

Residents in areas at most risk of flooding from coastal overtopping have been contacted by Civil Defence volunteers and sandbags are available at its headquarters in Tromode.

The island’s division has urged the people to take care on the roads and be prepared for delays due to standing water and the emergency services potentially dealing with any flooding.

The division has also warned people to stay away from coastal areas, adding: “Please don’t be tempted to take a selfie with a crashing wave, this not only puts yourself at risk but also emergency services who have to respond.”

The latest warnings follow a 10-hour amber weather warning, which was in place until 10:00 for heavy downpours bringing up to 1.8in (45mm) of rainfall, leading to surface water flooding on many of the islands roads, forecasters said.

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 has also asked the public to avoid glens and plantations, and to be aware of storm related damage to trees in the days to follow.