Update:
Saturday, 6.50am – Met Éireann’s Status Yellow Wind Warning for Co Clare will come into effect at 6.00am on Sunday as the first named storm of the year nears Ireland.
Forecasters say Storm Ashley will bring strong and gusty southerly winds, coupled with high spring tides.
The possible impacts of the expected weather included coastal flooding; large coastal waves; some fallen trees, branches; difficult driving and cycling conditions; debris and loose objects being displaced.
The warning will take effect at 10.00am on Sunday and remain un place until midnight.
A Status Orange Wind Warning has been issued for Galway and Mayo, worth keeping in mind if you have plans to travel in the directs on Sunday.
Keith Leonard, National Director of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, emphasised: “I would urge the public to stay away from coastal areas during this period and to heed the appeal from the Irish Coast Guard for people to ‘Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry’.
“Also, dangerous travelling conditions are possible and road users should pay particular attention to the risk posed by fallen trees and flying debris as trees are in full leaf. There is a potential for tidal flooding in coastal areas, especially in Southern and Western counties. In addition to this, heavy persistent showers are expected, which in turn may lead to surface flooding in urban locations.”
Further public safety advice includes:
People are advised to prepare for the arrival of the storm including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication.
Never drive through flooded roads, the depth of the water can be deceiving
Monitor Met Éireann forecasts and / or visit www.met.ie/ for the most up to date information. Information is available across social media platforms and other news media sources.
ESB Networks is highlighting the dangers posed by fallen live wires and is advising the public and the emergency services to stay away from these fallen cables and to report such cases to it immediately. ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999. The public can monitor www.PowerCheck.ie regarding power restoration times.
The Road Safety Authority has issued the following advice ahead of the arrival of Storm Ashley.
Advice to Motorists
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 people cycling and motorcyclists as they may be blown off course by strong winds.
Advice to road users e.g. pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists:
Walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.
People cycling 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.
Thursday: Yesterday Met Éireann’s Weather Warning Alerting Service issued an advisory for this weekend which could see high winds and coastal flooding.
The weather service has also said we can expect weather warnings to be issued tomorrow for the weekend. In the meantime, Met Éireann is advising that an exceptionally high supermoon with spring tides could result in coastal flooding possible. Wind warnings expected Saturday night and into Sunday.”
“This Friday, a brief period of heavy rain and strong winds across the country is expected. We are monitoring another low-pressure system which could undergo rapid deepening on Saturday with the potential for strong winds and potentially a named storm; however, uncertainty still exists about this event.”
Additionally, we are currently in one of the highest Spring tides of the year and this, tied in with any strong winds and high waves will increase the risk of coastal flooding.
Weather warnings for Saturday/Sunday, related to the Advisory issued for Ireland today, will be issued starting tomorrow, Friday 18th October, when Met Éireann’s high–resolution model provides an updated situation about the evolution of the low pressure system, and our meteorologists analyse it.
Weather warnings for Saturday/Sunday, related to the Advisory issued for Ireland today, will be issued starting tomorrow, Friday 18th October, when Met Éireann’s high–resolution model provides an updated situation about the evolution of the low pressure system, and our meteorologists analyse it.”
