Freak tornado causes serious damage to Irish village

Gardaí confirmed the village is closed.

A tornado has reportedly hit Leitrim village, causing serious damages to several buildings and vehicles on the main street. The freak weather event took place on the afternoon of Sunday, December 10, with multiple shocking images of the aftermath being posted to social media. Leitrim Live report that the tornado hit the town at around 12.40pm on Sunday, "causing damage to properties, knocking trees and walls as well as damaging cars." An eye witness told the publication that they heard a roaring noise and saw trees being flattened at the back of properties near the canal.

Video footage here from Leitrim village after reports of a tornado hit. https://t.co/Gowx5FqmjN

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) December 10, 2023

Freak tornado causes serious damage to Leitrim village

The news of the tornado comes as Storm Fergus is set to rip through Ireland on Sunday, just off the back of Storm Elin on Saturday. The storms this weekend have brought strong winds and rain to the country, with the potential for thunderstorms on the way, according to Met Éireann.

Leitrim village tornado byu/mcnally_92 inireland

Gardaí issued a statement on X saying "Garda and Emergency Services are attending an incident in Leitrim Village. The Village is closed. Please avoid the area and be patient while emergencies services deal with the incident."

Garda and Emergency Services are attending an incident in Leitrim Village.

The Village is closed. Please avoid the area and be patient while emergencies services deal with the incident. pic.twitter.com/prLaR5ICU3 — An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) December 10, 2023

Weather expert Alan O'Reilly of Carlow Weather confirmed on X that "radar and lighting detection do show thunderstorm in that area", before adding that "thankfully no reports of serious injuries but a lot of damage done." Leitrim has been issued with a Status Yellow wind warning from 6pm on Sunday to 12am on Monday. Cavan, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Roscommon and Sligo are also under the same warning from Met Éireann.

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