Updates:
Monday, 4.10pm – Clare has escaped the worst of Storm Debi with only a few incidents of damage and flooding being reported around the county.
A mobile home was flattened during Storm Debi overnight in Fanore while a caravan was lifted off the ground and onto its side at Whitestrand Miltown Malbay. Both were completely destroyed.
No one was injured in either incident however debris including insulation and personal items were left strewn over a wide area.
The popular walking route at the Flaggy Shore in the north of the county was also left impassable after tonnes of stones and seaweed were was onto the roadway and surrounding lands.
A boat was left high and dry on the pier at Kinvara after being lifted by the storm surge.
Flooding has also been reported on the N67 between Kilcolgan and Ballyvaughan and between Liscannor and Lahinch.
Monday, 12.09pm – Two flights due to land at Dublin Airport this morning were forced to divert to Shannon.
Finnair flight AY-1381 from Helsinki to Dublin and Aer Lingus flight EI-106 from New York to Dublin diverted to Shannon this morning as a result of high winds in Dublin.
Operations at Shannon Airport have not been affected by the storm but passengers are advised to check with their airlines in case of delays at other airports internationally.
A KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Cork has also diverted to Shannon. Flight KL1085 was unable to land in Cork due to high winds.
Monday, 11.45am – The ESB has said its crews are working to restore power to homes and businesses across Co Clare.
Storm force winds associated with Storm Debi has caused considerable damage to the electricity network overnight, predominantly in the West, Midwest, Midlands and Northeast. The damage is mainly attributable to lightning and fallen trees on overhead lines as a result of the high winds.
As of 10:30 am, 80,000 homes, farms and businesses are without power. Most impacted counties include Galway, Roscommon, Westmeath, Meath, Cavan and Louth. At 7:45 am this morning, approximately 100,000 customers were without electricity.
All available resources are now deployed as Storm Debi clears the country and ESB Networks crews are currently in the process of assessing damage, making the network safe and repairing electricity supply where safe to do so.
Crews expect to restore power to the majority of impacted customers through today Monday. However, due to the scale of the damage to the electricity network, some customers in localised areas will remain without supply overnight.
Real-time updates on power restoration times are available on www.powercheck.ie and www.esbnetworks.ie.
An Important Public Safety Message: If you come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network, never, ever touch or approach these as they are LIVE and extremely dangerous. Please report any damage to electricity infrastructure by calling 1800 372 999.
Monday, 6.45am – A tree that had blocked the old Ennis to Gort Road at Ballyline has been cleared by Clare County Fire and Rescue Service crews from Ennis.
*Debris (large and small) reported on roads across the county including small branches on sections of the M18 Motorway.
Sunday, 8.40pm – Due to Red Weather warnings some Bus Éireann services will be cancelled.
As per the decision to delay the opening of schools until 10am tomorrow, School Bus Services in 19 counties including Clare affected by the Status Red and Orange Warnings will not operate on Monday morning; however, afternoon services will operate as normal, subject to local road conditions being safe to travel.
Sunday, 7.20pm – A number of visitor of attractions will remain closed on Monday as a result of the expected poor weather.
*The Aillwee Burren Experience has delayed opening on Monday morning until 11.00am
*There will be no sailings between Killimer and Tarbert on Monday, 13th November until 10am.
*Bunratty Castle and Folk Park will not open until 11am tomorrow on Monday.
*The Vandeleur Walled Garden in Kilrush will remain closed on Monday 13th November, 2023 as a result of the severe weather. Management have apologised for any inconvenience.
*The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience will be closed to visitors on Monday as conditions are expected to be hazardous. Management are advising the public not visit the site during this time.
Sunday, 3.40pm – Met Éireann has upgraded its original Status Orange wind for Clare to Red.
The Status Red wind warning will come into effect at 2.00am on Monday and remain in place until 5.00am (Monday).
Met Éireann says it will be extremely gusty on Sunday night and early Monday due to Storm Debi with potential danger to life.
Possible impacts:
– Damage to exposed and vulnerable structures
– Disruption to services and transport
– Significant power outages
– Fallen trees/branches
The original Status Orange wind warning for Clare will remain in place until 10.00am Monday (after the Status Red alerts has expired) so caution will be still be needed.
Clare County Council has made preparations in advance of Storm Debi and its associated wind and rain warnings. Crews will be on standby and will assess and respond to the effects of the storm.
The Council is advising members of the public to exercise caution on Sunday night and Monday morning. People should stay away from coastal areas. There is a risk of wave overtopping. The advice is to stay back, stay high, stay dry.
People are advised not to travel during the Status Red alert, while 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 or garden 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 Road Safety Authority has issued the following advice to road users on foot of the weather warnings.
*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.
Advice to Pedestrians, Cyclists, and motorcyclists:
*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. Consider wearing high visibility material.
*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.
*Be Safe. Be Seen. Visibility and light are reduced in poor weather conditions. Keep safe by making sure you can be seen. Wear bright clothing and consider wearing high visibility material.
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.
Please also see our severe weather warning videos created in collaboration with Teresa Mannion here.
See advice for driving on flooded roads here and some advice on driving in strong winds here.
For more weather updates, visit Met Eireann’s website: www.met.ie.
Sunday, 11.40am – Met Éireann has issued three weather warnings for Clare including a Status Red storm alert for coastal areas.
A Status Yellow wind and rain warning has been issued for Ireland.
Met Éireann has said it will be very windy or stormy on Sunday night and Monday due to Storm Debi which will be accompanied by heavy rain with a chance of embedded thunderstorms and hail.
The possible impacts of the weather system include:
– Fallen trees/branches
– Localised flooding including wave overtopping
– Hazardous travelling conditions
The warning will take effect at midnight Sunday and remain valid until 3.00pm on Monday.
A Status Orange wind warning has been issued for a total of 16 counties including Clare.
Met Éireann says it will be stormy on Sunday night and Monday due to Storm Debi with severe and damaging gusts expected.
The possible impacts include:
– Damage to exposed and vulnerable structures
– Dangerous travelling conditions
– Disruption to services
– Damage to power lines
The warning will take effect at 2:00am on and remain in place until midday 12:00 on Monday.
Meanwhile, a Status Red storm warning has been issued for coastal areas from Valentia to Loop Head to Slyne Head.
Westerly winds will reach violent storm force 11 for a time, according to Met Éireann.
The warning will be valid from 2:00am to 5.00am on Monday.
Earlier: Met Éireann has issued a Weather Advisory for Ireland warning of the possibility of heavy rain and high winds.
The advisory will take effect at 11 o’clock on Sunday night, remaining in place until 1.00pm on Monday.
Met Éireann has said: “There is potential for a spell of wet and very windy weather over Ireland on Sunday night and for a time on Monday as a deepening depression tracks over the country.”
The possible impacts include:
- Localised flooding
- Poor road conditions
- Fallen trees/branches
The weather service says further updates to this advisory will follow on Sunday, November 12th.
