LAST UPDATE | 26 Sep 2023

CORK, KERRY AND WATERFORD have been issued status orange rain warnings for tomorrow, as Storm Agnes is due to hit. Counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow and Tipperary have all been issued with an orange wind warning, too. 

There are also Yellow warnings for rain in counties Carlow, Dublin, Kilkenny, Wexford and Wicklow. Yellow wind warnings are in place for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Derry.

Both sets of Orange warnings are due to kick in at 9am tomorrow, with the wind warning set to remain in place until 5pm and the rain warning until 3pm. 

The two sets of Yellow warnings will be in effect between 7am tomorrow and midnight on Thursday. 

Met Éireann has warned of potential flooding in areas, while the RSA has asked drivers to be extra vigilant as the storm could create difficult driving conditions. 

The storm is expected to reach the country by tomorrow morning, with very strong southeasterly winds forecasted from then on, especially in southern and eastern coastal counties.

However, the whole island will be impacted, with a wet and windy day expected nationwide. The centre of the storm will approach the southwest of the country by morning.

There is potential for coastal flooding, fallen trees and power outages in affected areas.

Storm Agnes 👉🌬️🌧️⚠️ Here's Met Éireann’s Meteorologist Mark Bowe with some updates and insights on #StormAgnes

For the latest weather forecasts and warning details, go to https://t.co/e0QpncNkig and the Met Éireann app📲 pic.twitter.com/44iXW4XH19

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) September 26, 2023

Cork County Council’s severe weather assessment team convened this afternoon and has crews on standby in several known risk locations across the county. 

Crews are currently clearing inlets and gullies. Sandbags and pumping arrangements will also be in place in known problem areas. 

The council is asking the public to stand high, stay dry and stay away from the coast, rivers and lakes. 

Mallow Castle and playground will be closed tomorrow. 

News of Storm Agnes, the first of the year, has prompted homelessness services to warn their service-users of potentially dangerous weather conditions.

The Dublin Region Homeless Executive has implemented its extreme weather protocol, increasing bed capacity by 50 beds. Its outreach service will also be working directly with rough sleepers from 7am to 1am daily, as usual.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads tomorrow. 

Road users in areas affected by the Status Orange warning are advised to check local traffic and weather conditions before setting out on a journey. 

The following advice is being given to road users on foot of the weather warnings. motorists:

• Drivers need to slow down and allow a greater braking distance between themselves and the vehicle in front in wet weather conditions. This is especially important on high-speed roads such as dual carriageways and motorways where there is increased danger of aquaplaning.
• Take special care when driving behind goods vehicles, as they generate a considerable amount of spray, which reduces your visibility. Hold back to where you can see their mirrors.
• If the road ahead is flooded, choose another route. Do not attempt to drive through it. Flooded roads that appear shallow could be deeper than you think. The verge may have subsided and there may also be trees or branches that have fallen that may not be visible.
• Road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic that have been put there by the local council or An Garda Síochána.
• After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance – this helps to dry the brakes.
• Be safe. Be seen. Drive with dipped headlights at all times to ensure that you are visible and that you can see other road users.
• Beware of objects being blown out onto the road. Expect the unexpected.
• Watch out for falling / fallen debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road.
• Control of a vehicle may be affected by strong cross winds. High-sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds
• Drivers should allow extra space between themselves and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists as they may be blown off course by strong winds.
• Drive with dipped headlights at all times.

Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are being advised to walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths. 

Cyclists should ensure that they and their bike are visible to other road users by investing in a good set of front and rear lights (white at the front, red at the back) and by wearing clothes that help you be seen on your bike, the RSA has said, adding they should consider wearing high visibility material. 

People are being asked to take extra care when crossing the road or cycling in extremely windy conditions, as a sudden gust of wind could blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

With reporting by Hayley Halpin