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‘Status Orange’ wind warning for Clare on Sunday

Sea foam washed up at Spanish Point during Storm Atiyah – Photo: © Pat Flynn 2019

Update:

Sunday – 10.45pm

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Ryanair flight FR-8879 from Warsaw to Shannon has also diverted to Dublin.

Sunday – 9.50pm

Ryanair flight FR-1183 from Gatwick to Shannon has been forced to divert to Dublin because of high winds at Shannon. Winds have been gusting as high as 48 knots (89km/h) tonight.

Sunday – 9.30pm

Approximately 120 premises have been left without power this evening. These include homes in the Ennis, Corofin, Kildysart, Spanish Point, Doolin and Fanore areas.

Sunday – 5.25pm

Today’s Aer Lingus flight EI-386 to London and the return leg, EI-387, have been cancelled due to the storm.

Meanwhile, two Ryanair flights from Budapest and Luton to Cork have diverted to Shannon.

Saturday – 10.10pm

While the Status Orange wind warning was originally due to come into effect at 9.00am on Sunday, winds were already reaching 41 knots (75km/h) at Shannon Airport at 10.00pm on Saturday.

Please be careful out there….

Photo: © Pat Flynn 2019

Update:

Management at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience confirmed that the centre will remain closed all day on Sunday as conditions are expected to be ‘extremely dangerous’.

The National Parks & Wildlife Service has confirmed that Dromore Woods in Clare will remain closed on Sunday as a result of the storm.

Met Éireann has issued a Status Orange wind warning eight counties including Co Clare.

The warning is for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Kerry and Limerick.

Storm Atiyah will track between Iceland and Ireland on Sunday generating a swathe of very strong winds across the country.

Southwesterly winds later veering northwesterly will reach mean speeds of 65 to 80 km/h with gusts from 110 to 130km/h.

Due to a combination of high seas and storm surge there is a possibility of coastal flooding.

Valid: Sunday 08 December 2019 09:00 to Monday 09 December 2019 06:00

Issued: Friday 06 December 2019 09:00

Meanwhile, the Road Safety Authority (RSA), is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads over the weekend.

It is important for all road users to understand that, according to Met Eireann, an Orange Warning means infrequent and dangerous weather conditions which may pose a threat to life and property.

Furthermore all people and property in the affected areas can be significantly impacted. Therefore road users in counties likely to be impacted by the Orange Warning should check local weather and traffic reports, heed any advice given and consider delaying or cancelling a planned trip if the conditions are very bad.

The following advice is being given to motorists:

  • Control of a vehicle may be affected by strong cross winds. High sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds.
  • Beware of objects being blown onto the road. Expect road conditions to change quickly in high winds so reduce your speed.
  • Watch out for falling/fallen debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road.
  • Drivers should allow extra space allow between themselves and vulnerable road users, such as cyclists and motorcyclists as they may be blown off course by strong winds.
  • Motorists should also be aware that cyclists may need more road space than normal due to flooding, fallen debris and wind gusts. Give them plenty of space to navigate any obstacles that may be in front of them
  • Drive with dipped headlights at all times.
  • 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. They may also have 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.
  • After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance – this helps to dry the brakes.
Flooded roads that appear shallow could be deeper than you think – File Photo: © Pat Flynn 2017

Advice to Pedestrians, Cyclists and motorcyclists:

  • In areas affected by the Orange Warnings pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists should consider delaying or cancelling any planned trip
  • In other areas they should keep safe by making sure you can be seen. Wear bright clothing with reflective armbands or a reflective belt.
  • 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.
  • Walk on a footpath, where possible and not in the street. If there is a footpath and it is safe to use, look out for falling debris from above, especially in urban areas.
  • Walk on the right hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.
  • Cyclist 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 such as bright and light reflective items.

For advice on severe weather driving tips, please see severe weather advice on the RSA website or check out the RSA Facebook and Twitter pages.

Useful Numbers:

In an emergency, ring 999 or 112 and ask for An Garda, Ambulance, Fire Brigade or Coast Guard

Clare County Council Emergency number – 087 416 9496

ESB Networks – 1850 372 999

Gas Networks Ireland –  1850 20 50 50

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