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Stormy day
Morning commuters advised to be careful as Storm Lorenzo set to continue overnight
A level orange wind warning is in place for Galway, Mayo, Clare, Kerry and Limerick.
LAST UPDATE | 3 Oct 2019
HIGH WINDS FROM Storm Lorenzo are set to continue into the early hours of the morning and commuters are advised to take precautions on roads and paths.
The storm is expected to continue its intensity until around 3am before slowing down, according to Met Éireann.
An Garda Síochána has advised those travelling in the morning to take precautions such as reducing their speed and being mindful of potential damages to roads or pathways that may have occurred overnight.
There has been minor overtopping in Salthill in Galway, but not at Galway Harbour or the Spanish Arch, according to Mayor of Galway City Mike Cubbard. A full assessment of any damage caused by storm conditions will be undertaken by Galway City Council tomorrow.
As a reminder:
- An orange level wind warning remains in place until 6am tomorrow morning for five counties – Galway, Mayo, Clare, Kerry and Limerick.
- A yellow rainfall warning for Connacht, Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal will remain in place until 6am tomorrow morning.
- A yellow wind warning is in place for Leitrim and Sligo with west-veering northwest winds with mean speeds of 50 to 65 km/h with gusts of 90 to 100 km/h until 6am tomorrow.
- A Status Orange Gale Warning remains in place for Irish coastal waters from Carnsore Point to Valentia to Bloody Foreland and on the Irish Sea south of Anglesey. This will reach storm force for a time tonight.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Prime Time, Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy said there have been some power outages in Mayo and Sligo.
He added that there could be some minor flooding in coastal areas of Co Galway.
He advised people, particularly those in the five counties with an orange wind warning, to stay away from the coast and remain indoors if possible.
It is expected to be very windy tonight in western counties with strong and gale force southwest to west winds. There will be damaging gusts along the coasts of Mayo and Galway in particular.
Met Éireann said it will be breezy in other parts around the country along with rain overnight. Heavy rainfall is expected in Connacht, Ulster and Leinster which may lead to spot flooding.
Lowest temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees are anticipated throughout the night.
Watch the storm live on an EarthWindMap here.
Buoy reports by Met Éireann at 7pm today showed wind speeds of 43 km/h and a wave height of 3.1 metres. Wind speeds had reached 46 km/h at 8am this morning, according to these reports.
950 Irish Coast Guards are on standby to help those in need during the storm. They have advised people to heed the warnings and stay away from exposed beaches, cliffs and harbours.
A kite surfer was injured and had to be rescued today while on a lake in Co Wexford. A wind surfer went missing this evening in Co Kerry before making it to safety after a few minutes.
The Irish Coast Guard shared a video earlier today of people walking through breaking waves in Howth.
Broadband company Eir has said it has additional teams of engineers on standby for the storm and said it is “working with the relevant parties” to ensure it is prepared for any damage.
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