Live Updates:
Wednesday, 1.20pm – Irish Water, working in partnership with Clare County Council wishes to advise customers in Rockmount, Rineen, Glendine, Illaun, Tooreen, Knockbrack, Kilfarboy, Ballyvaskin and surrounding areas in Co. Clare that they may experience low water pressure and/or outages due to power outages that occurred during Storm Barra.
Duane O Brien, Irish Water, said, “Irish Water and Clare County Council understand the inconvenience caused and thank customers for their patience while we work to restore normal supply to impacted customers. Some of the power supply in the area has been restored so the water supply should start to return to customers from later day.”
For further updates please see the Irish Water website www.water.ie. Our customer care team is available to help 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on Twitter @IWCare with any queries.
For updates on Storm Barra please visit www.gov.ie/stormbarra/.
10.20am – Normal services have resumed at Shannon Airport today, following Storm Barra, with the airport expecting to operate its full flight schedule.
Commenting on conditions at the airport today a Shannon Airport spokesperson said: “Our first flight, a Ryanair service to Krakow, departed at 7.32 am this morning and we expect to operate a normal schedule today. Storm Barra brought severe gusts to the airport yesterday and the Ryanair Malaga service cancelled as a result, is now rescheduled to depart at 10.10am this morning.”
Flight information is available on the Shannon Airport website.
Power Supply
The ESB has confirmed that over the 4,000 premises left without power after the storm, power has been restored to almost 3,000. Work is continuing to resolve all outstanding issues.
Wednesday, 8.05am – Crews from Clare County Fire and Rescue Service’s seven stations responded to over 50 calls yesterday and last night as Storm Barra swept across the country.
Most incidents related to to fallen trees, cables or damaged property however no serious incidents were reported.
Firefighters at Clare’s seven fire stations were mobilised to their bases at the beginning of the Status Red warning and remained on standby ready to respond to emergency calls within seconds.
– Over 3,000 homes are without power across Clare this morning mainly along the west coast from Loop Head up to Doolin as well as Kimaley, Quin and Ennis town.
– The HSE has confirmed that the Covid-19 testing centre at Ballymaley in Ennis will reopen today.
#TrafficAlert – The R474 Golf Links Road in Ennis (Ennis to Kilmaley Road) is closed due to a fallen tree. Motorists are asked to avoid the area.
#TrafficAlert – Fire crews from Shannon and Limerick City had dealt with a fallen tree on the N18 near Bunratty.
#TrafficAlert – There are reports of flooding the Ennis to Kilmaley road before Inch.
Ryanair’s FR-108 Shannon to Gatwick flight tonight has been cancelled due to the weather.
Shannon Airport is advising passengers intending to travel from Shannon Airport today, to contact their airline before travelling to the airport.
Ennis
Due to the combination of severe weather events, Active Ennis Leisure Complex and John O’Sullivan Park, Lees Road, are closed today, Tuesday, 7th December.
Shannon Airport
A spokesperson for Shannon Airport said: “The first scheduled flight of the day, a Ryanair flight to Tenerife departed Shannon Airport this morning at 7.21am. However, Aer Lingus services from and to Heathrow Airport scheduled for later this afternoon (EI 385 and EI386) have been cancelled due to the expected severity of storm Barra.
“There have been no further confirmed flight cancellations yet, and we are awaiting updates from our airlines. However, as a status RED weather warning for County Clare is due to come into effect today, we strongly advise intending passengers to check with their airline before travelling to the airport. Flight information will be posted on all Shannon Airport social media platforms and the airport website as it becomes available.”
HSE
HSE Mid West Primary Care Health Centres in the following locations in Co Clare will close today 07/12/2021 at 12.00hrs due to the status Red Weather warning issued by Met Éireann.
Shannon Health Centre
Sixmilebridge Health Centre
Scariff Health Centre
Tulla Health Centre
Ennis Health Centre
Kilmaley Health Centre
Clarecastle Health Centre
Ennistymon Heath Centre
Lisdoonvarna Health Centre
Ballyvaughan Medical Centre (HSE Services)
Kilrush Health Centre
Kilmihill Health Centre
Miltown Malbay Health Centre
Services scheduled for before 12:00hrs will be provided as scheduled.
Mental Health Services
All routine mental health service appointments across Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary are cancelled today, as a result of Storm Barra.
These include CAMHS appointments, adult and specialist services. Mental health teams will be in touch with patients to advise
The crisis service remains operational through the Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick
Ennis Hospital
Due to the Status Red wind warning issued by Met Éireann for Clare between 4pm on Tuesday, December 7th until 1am Wednesday, December 8th, outpatient appointments and vaccination clinics are being cancelled in Ennis Hospital from 2pm this Tuesday, December 7th.
Some elective procedures will take place tomorrow if patients can be safely discharged by 2pm. Procedures taking place later in the day will be postponed. Patients are being contacted directly by the hospital to confirm if their procedure is going ahead or not.
The Emergency Department at UHL, Injury Units at Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s and Medical Assessment Units at UHL, Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s will operate as normal. The Maternity Emergency Unit at University Maternity Hospital Limerick will also continue to operate on a 24-hour basis.
*Due to the forecast impact of Storm Barra, there will be no COVID-19 testing conducted on Tuesday, December 7th in the three Test Centres operated by HSE Mid West Community Healthcare, namely:
- Ennis COVID-19 Testing Centre, Ballymaley Business Park, Ennis, Co. Clare.
- Nenagh COVID-19 Testing Centre, Old Castlebrand Factory, Tyone, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.
- Limerick COVID-19 Testing Centre, Eastpoint Business Park, Ballysimon Road, Limerick.
People who have already booked appointments or have been allocated appointments for tomorrow will be contacted via text message and offered new times for their tests on Wednesday, December 8th.
HSE Mid West Community Healthcare will keep you updated on any other impacts on our services.
Colleges
GMIT – Further to advice received from the Department of Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science this evening (Monday 6 December 2021), GMIT has announced that all campuses in Galway and Mayo will be closed tomorrow (Tuesday 7 December 2021) due to Storm Barra.
All planned online activities and remote working will continue as scheduled.
The President of GMIT, Dr Orla Flynn, informed staff and students of the decision this evening (Mon 6 Dec), urging everyone to stay safe over the coming days.
TUS – The Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS) will close three of its six campuses this evening from 10pm and they will remain closed tomorrow Tuesday, December 7, 2021 on the advice of the Department of Further and Higher Education.
The LSAD, Clare Street Campus, Limerick; Moylish Campus, Limerick; and the Ennis Campus, Co. Clare will close this evening and remain closed until Wednesday December 8 as a result of the Red Alert and Orange warning from Met Éireann.
Staff and student are advised to follow the TUS social media channels for any updates or changes to this information.
Mary Immaculate College – Due to growing concerns that a Status Red Wind Warning for Limerick may be issued at a later stage tonight or indeed early tomorrow morning, a decision has been taken to close the MIC Limerick campus and all its facilities throughout Tuesday 7 December 2021.
Staff and students should operate online in the interim and monitor their emails for further updates.
Travel/Transport
Bus Éireann has advised customers that in the interests of the safety of employees and customers, Bus Éireann will be running a reduced number of services in County Clare tomorrow, Tuesday 7 December. School Transport services will not operate in County Clare tomorrow.
Retail
Aldi has confirmed that its stores in Clare will be closed from 3pm on Tuesday and reopen at 9am Wednesday.
An Aldi spokesperson said: “We are monitoring the weather situation closely and if there are any changes we will communicate this. The health and safety of all our customers and store teams is our priority.”
Schools
The Department of Education is advising that all schools covered by the Red Alert and Orange warning from Met Éireann should not open tomorrow, 7 December.
All schools should keep up-to-date with the current weather warnings which are carried on all national and local news bulletins and in particular any change in the status warning for their area.
Monday, 5.25pm – Bank of Ireland has confirmed that due to Storm Barra and the red weather warning issued for Cork, Clare and Kerry, Bank of Ireland branches in those counties will remain closed on Tuesday 7th December.
The safety of our customers and colleagues is our top priority. Given the latest weather alerts we have taken the decision not to open branches in Cork, Clare and Kerry on Tuesday 7th December.
Customers can use our digital banking channels or contact us here https://www.bankofireland.com/help-centre/contact-us/
Monday, 5.00pm – Clare will move from Status Orange to Red from 4.00pm on Tuesday as Storm Barra crosses Ireland.
Met Éireann has confirmed that northwesterly winds will reach mean speeds in excess of 80 km/h with severe or damaging gusts in excess of 130km/h. Due to a combination of high waves, storm surge and high tide, coastal flooding is expected. Disruption to power and travel are likely.
The county will be under Status Orange wind warning from 6.00am to 4.00pm on Tuesday but after that winds will strengthen further and for the period from 4.00pm Tuesday to 1.00am on Wednesday, Clare will move to Status Red.
The public is being warned to exercise extreme caution and to especially avoid coastal areas as Storm Barra is set to reach Ireland early on Tuesday.
Met Éireann has issued a Status Orange wind warning for Co Clare and a Status Red storm warning for coastal areas also including Clare.
Met Éireann has said: “On Tuesday and Tuesday night, due to Storm Barra, southerly winds, later becoming to north-westerly, will reach mean speeds of 65 to 80 km/hr with severe or damaging gusts of up to 130 Km/ hr, possibly higher in coastal areas. Disruption to power and travel are likely. High waves, high tides, heavy rain and storm surge will lead to wave overtopping and a significant possibility of coastal flooding.
Southwesterly winds, veering west to northwest will reach Violent Storm Force 11 on Irish coastal waters from Roche’s Point to Valentia to Erris Head including Clare coasts.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads over the next few days as Met Eireann has issued Orange and Yellow weather warnings for strong winds and rain.
An Orange Weather Warning has been issued for Tuesday and Tuesday night, due to Storm Barra. Southerly winds, later becoming north-westerly, will reach mean speeds of 65 to 80km/h with severe or damaging gusts of up to 130km/h, possibly higher in coastal areas. Affected counties include Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, and Limerick.
A Yellow Warning has been issued for the rest of the country on Tuesday and for a time on Wednesday, as Storm Barra brings very strong winds and spells of heavy rain across Ireland. Heavy rain will bring localised flooding. There will also be a risk of coastal flooding on south and west coasts.
Road users in areas affected by the 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.
Motorists
Control of a vehicle may be affected by strong cross winds, especially on exposed routes such as dual carriageways and motorways. 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 between themselves and vulnerable road users, such as cyclists and motorcyclists as they may be blown off course by strong winds.
Drivers need to slow down in wet weather conditions, to avoid the risk of aquaplaning. Drivers should also leave a bigger gap between themselves and the vehicle in front.
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.
Drive with dipped headlights at all times.
Advice to Pedestrians, Cyclists and motorcyclists
In areas affected by Orange Weather Warnings you should consider postponing your journey until conditions improve.
Visibility and light is reduced in poor weather conditions. 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.
Clare County Council is advising members of the public to exercise caution. People should stay away from coastal areas.
There are particular risks during storms on high ground and people are asked to avoid being outdoors at such locations.
Road users should be vigilant for any fallen trees and debris on roads over the coming days, as well as the possibility of localised flash flooding.
Essential travel only is advised for the duration of the storm.
Business owners, caravan parks, homeowners and members of the public are advised that caravans should be securely tied down and any street furniture, including parasols and awnings, should be taken indoors or fully secured.
Clare County Council will be monitoring the situation for any changes in the weather forecast. Please check Met Éireann for updates.
The Irish Coast Guard has warned that all other forms of open water recreation should be avoided, including by experienced practitioners, as it may result in arousing public concerns and causing rescue services to be alerted.
A small craft weather warning is already in place and Met Éireann is forecasting that Gale to Storm Force South East winds will extend to all coastal areas from early Tuesday, veering west to northwest in direction later. Winds are forecasted to reach Violent Storm Force 11 on Irish coastal waters from West Cork to Galway. The combination of south easterly winds, Spring tides and low pressure, provide for an increased risk of localised flooding.
The Coast Guard Operations has appealed to the public to remain vigilant, to avoid any unnecessary travel and to monitor Met Éireann weather forecasts. “Remember Stay back, Stay high, Stay dry. If you see somebody in trouble on the water or on the coast dial 112 or use marine VHF channel 16, and ask for the Coast Guard.”
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.