LAST UPDATE | 15 Feb 2020

A STATUS ORANGE wind warning has been issued for nine coastal counties as Storm Dennis approaches Ireland. 

Met Éireann has issued a Status Orange wind warning for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick. 

This warning kicks in at 10am in the morning and will remain valid until 10pm tomorrow night.

In these counties, southwest winds with mean speeds of 60 to 80km/h are expected with severe gusts of up to 120km/h. These winds will be strongest on hills and coasts, and the forecaster has warned there will be a risk of coastal flooding. 

Elsewhere, a Status Yellow rainfall warning is in place for the whole country until 9pm this evening. 

A Status Yellow wind warning is currently in place nationwide. It will remain in place until 11pm tomorrow. 

The forecaster is urging people across Ireland to be aware that heavy rainfall and powerful winds have the capacity to impact them.

Spells of heavy, locally thundery rain, have also been forecast which will lead to some flooding today. 

Met Éireann has said the weather will be “very disturbed” throughout the weekend with the storm coming closest to Ireland later tomorrow. 

Northwestern counties are set to be worst affected with widespread heavy rain and squally winds bringing hail showers and thundery downpours at times.

A woman has her umbrella caught in the wind in Temple Bar Dublin as Storm Dennis hits Ireland Leah Farrell Leah Farrell

The National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) has announced a number of site closures while the weather warnings are in place. 

Due to the Status Orange wind warnings which is in place for Wexford and Waterford until 8pm this evening, the following sites are closed: 

• The Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
• The Raven Wood Nature Reserve

Due to the Status Orange wind warning which kicks in at 10am tomorrow, these sites will be closed: 

• Coole-Garryland Nature Reserve, Gort, Co Galway
• Connemara National Park
• Knockma Wood, near Tuam, Co Galway
• Wild Nephin, Ballycroy National Park
• Old Head Nature Reserve
• Laughil Wood, near Pontoon, Co Mayo
• Killarney House and Gardens
• Muckross House

The public is advised not to visit any national parks, national monuments or nature reserves while the Status Orange warnings are in place in those areas. 

Meanwhile, Cork County Council’s severe weather assessment team have convened in response to the weather warnings. 

Council response teams have been put on notice and are on standby.

Members of the public are being advised to stay high, stay dry and stay away from the coast, rivers and lakes. 

Cork County Council expects the main impact from the storm to include fallen trees and possibly structural damage from high winds and coastal flooding caused by the storm surge. 

Warning to motorists

Gardaí are urging motorists to be “extra cautious” this weekend.

“Cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians should be aware of the danger posed by high winds as they are particularly vulnerable,” gardaí said. 

“Drivers of high-sided vehicles should take all necessary precautions and pay attention to the warnings,” they said. 

As the storm approaches, the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) is reminding people who see anyone sleeping rough on the streets to report them to the council on 01 8720185 or online here. 

DRHE said its outreach teams will respond to reports of people sleeping rough. 

The arrival of Storm Dennis comes just a week after Storm Ciara battered parts of the country, bringing winds of up to 120km/h. 

Includes reporting by Conal Thomas