Island weathers worst of Ophelia

Many trees down, some structural damage

One of the worst weather events to hit the Island in recent years has left behind a trail of destruction and disruption.

Ex-hurricane Ophelia bore down from Monday afternoon until the early hours of this morning - at its peak bringing winds of 91 miles per hour on the south coast.

Planes were grounded and sea services cancelled, causing disruption to postal and courier services which is expected to persist into midweek.

The biggest problem appeared to be fallen trees - 100 are thought to have come down around the Island, with more than two dozen incidents blocking key routes, and in one case causing collisions.

A number of roads were closed including the Mountain Road, which re opened at 5.30am today (17 Oct). Exposed sea front promenades were closed last night at Gansey, Fenella Beach in Peel and Port Jack in Douglas.

In Castletown, sandbags were made available to residents at risk of flooding as high tide approached.

Manx Utilities reported in excess of 30 disruptions to power supplies, and telecoms cables were brought down in several exposed places.

There was also widespread damage to property, with reports of sheds blowing away and roof tiles becoming dislodged.

Perhaps the worst affected building was the Palace Hotel on Douglas Promenade, which lost a section of its roof felt in the early evening.

DoI road teams and Civil Defence volunteers worked through the evening, standing down at around 10pm - and receiving thanks for their efforts in a tweet from Chief Minister Howard Quayle.

Several flights from Ronaldsway are cancelled this morning, after aircraft were stranded elsewhere. Steam Packet sailings are posted as operating to schedule. 

Work is continuing to assess to extent of the damage - but Ronaldsway Met Office predicts a drier, warmer and far less windy set of conditions today.