Storm Ali proved particularly devastating yesterday, leaving a trail of destruction across Ireland and, most tragically, causing the deaths of two people, in Co Galway and Co Armagh.
Warnings had been issued in advance of the storm but few could have anticipated the widespread disruption caused by the powerful winds with gusts of 92 mph recorded.
It will be recalled that last October towns and streets were deserted as people heeded warnings to stay at home because of the threat from ex-Hurricane Ophelia. Yet the gusts yesterday were even stronger than those experienced at that time.
Thousands of people were affected throughout yesterday, from commuters hit by gridlock on the M1 when cables came down at morning rush hour, to homes left without electricity.
Streets were closed as roof tiles were blown off and flights were cancelled and train services disrupted.
A number of local councils had sensibly closed parks and playgrounds but for schools and most workers it was generally business as usual.
However, many roads were clearly quite treacherous with a large number of trees coming down.
In the most serious incident in Northern Ireland, a man in his twenties was killed and a colleague injured when they were hit by a tree near the entrance to Slieve Gullion Forest Park.
It is believed the men were contractors working for Northern Ireland Water.
The thoughts of the entire community will be with the young man who died, someone who had gone out to do a day's work and ended up losing his life.
There will also be deep sympathy for a woman in her fifties who was killed when the caravan she was staying in was blown off a cliff and onto a beach near Clifden in Co Galway.
When severe weather strikes, we should also pay tribute to the emergency and utility workers who venture out in hazardous conditions to help those in need, keep roads open and maintain vital services.
