Mountain Road to close in face of severe gales

The Mountain Road will close later as the worst of the weather arrives.

The Department of Infrastructure says the route will shut at 6pm - high-sided vehicles are being advised to avoid it altogether today.

Roads will also be closed from 7pm along the northern end of Douglas Promenade, Castletown Promenade, Shore Road in Gansey and Fenella Beach and Castle Causeway in Peel.

Sandbags are being given out to properties on Castletown Promenade and the northern end of Douglas Promenade as waves are set to be driven onto exposed roads during high tide at around 10pm tonight.

The Department of Education and Children says all of its after-school activities, evening classes, youth clubs, and parents' evenings have been called off.

The Buchan School is to close at 2.30pm, with King William's College closing at 3.00pm.

All of today's flights from Ronaldsway Airport have been cancelled in the face of severe gales.

The Steam Packet company has cancelled all of today's ferry crossings and the Manx Utilities Authority says it's on high alert.

Forecasters say winds of up to 80mph could bring structural damage this afternoon.