Isha’s first victim is dad-of-5 whose car veered off road in 107mph gales – with second storm to hit in HOURS
THE family of one of Storm Isha’s three victims has opened up about their “heartbreak” over his tragic death – as Brits prepare for more wild weather.
Jimmy Rowe, a dad of five, was killed after his car skidded on a flooded road in Ireland.
Jimmy, in his 40s, was said to have been driving along N17 at Lisduff in Claremorris after dropping off his daughter.
The dad-of-five is one of three people who are said to have died as a result of the horror storm.
The other two men, one in his 60s and one in his 80s, also died on the roads last night.
News of the tragedies came just hours before forecasters warned a second storm is on its way.
Forecasters are now warning Brits to start bracing for Storm Jocelyn – which is set to bring 70mph gales from tomorrow.
Amber and yellow weather alerts cover the entire UK north of Cardiff and Peterborough for much of the UK for two days.
Meanwhile, tributes are pouring in for dad Jimmy.
His devastated brother Albie Rowe said their family was in agony.
Albie said: “Folks, with a heavy heart I bring you the heartbreaking news that our baby brother Jimmy Rowe has lost his life on the roads.
“Give your loved ones a hug you never know when it’s the last.
“Love you forever Jimmy.”
Politicians last night described the road deaths as “cruel” and “terrible, terrible news”.
Tuam Fianna Fail councillor Donagh Killilea told the Irish Sun how the local community had been plunged into sadness by the loss of Mr Rowe.
Cllr Killilea said: “I believe Jimmy was dropping his daughter to the north western region and he was on way home to Co Galway when he tragically lost his life.
“He was a nice quiet man and worked in Tuam. He worked in the building trade and been living in the area for a few years.
“My sympathies go out to his family in Longford, and to his partner and all his friends here.”
An 84-year-old man was also killed last night after a Hyundai crashed into a fallen tree on the A905 in Fife, eastern Scotland.
The OAP was the front seat passenger in the car, whose other occupants were not injured.
Emergency services tragically pronounced him dead at the scene near Grangemouth, and are now pleading for drivers to come forward with dashcam footage.
Just two hours before a man in his 60s died in a crash involving two vans and a fallen tree in Limavady, County Londonerry.
Local councillor Ashleen Schenning told the BBC: “To wake up and realise that, as a result of a tree coming down, someone lost their life is just devastating.
“It was cruel. The weather was cruel.
“You can see, even as I was coming here today, there’s so many roads closed, so many trees down.”
At lunchtime today Met Eireann named Storm Jocelyn, the second storm in just 48 hours.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Steve Willington said: “Although this system will be a step down relative to Storm Isha, with the damage and clean up still underway, we could potentially see more impacts from Storm Jocelyn.
“Outbreaks of heavy rain on Tuesday could bring rainfall accumulations of 15 to 20 mm quite widely with 40 to 50 mm over higher ground in southwest Scotland, the Scottish Highlands and parts of northwest England.
“Wind gusts are expected to reach 55 to 65 mph across northwestern Scotland while there is potential for winds to gust to 75 to 80 mph in a few places, in particular exposed parts of the Western Isles and coastal northwest Scotland early on Wednesday morning.”
Shocking images from across the country showed trees down, flooding and buildings torn to shreds by the wild weather.
Strong winds and heavy rain are forecast throughout tomorrow and Wednesday.
An amber weather warning has been issued for northern and western Scotland from 6pm tomorrow until 8am on Wednesday.
There is a chance of power cuts, damage to building, travel delays, road closures and life-threatening waves, the Met said.
It comes after howling Storm Isha winds wrought havoc all over the UK overnight.
A number of trees in Northern Ireland made famous by the TV series Game Of Thrones were felled by the storm.
