Two Status Orange wind warnings have been issued for 18 counties as Storm Bram is set to hit Ireland.
Power outages can be expected across the country on Tuesday, with Met Éireann issuing a host of status orange and yellow warnings.
The first orange warning — for Cork, Kerry, Waterford, and Wexford — will come into effect at 7am on Tuesday and remain in place until 3pm.
The second status orange alert is for Clare, Limerick, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, and Sligo, and will be in place from 10am until 9pm on Tuesday.
This second warning has been extended to Cavan, Longford, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary and Westmeath.
Met Éireann said Storm Bram’s peak winds “are expected to become confined to west and northwest counties later in the day”, with a nationwide status yellow wind warning coming into place at 6am on Tuesday. That warning will be in place until 9pm tomorrow.
The forecaster said the impacts of the storm will include power outages, flooding of low-lying coastal areas, especially during high tide, wave overtopping, and difficult travel conditions. There will also be a risk as debris and loose objects may become displaced, while outdoor events will also be impacted.
Met Éireann has also issued a status red marine warning from Loop Head to Erris Head to Malin Head. It said that between midday and 11.30pm on Tuesday “winds will occasionally reach violent storm force 11”.
The alerts come on top of a status yellow rain warning for Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Tipperary, Wexford, Kilkenny, and Carlow from 9pm on Monday to 9am on Tuesday, with heavy rain expected on already saturated ground.
Localised flooding, poor visibility and travel disruption are likely.
Ahead of Storm Bram’s arrival, Cork County Council has warned of both river and coastal flooding, saying many rivers are already “approaching bank full conditions” after prolonged rainfall.
“Soils are waterlogged, thereby increasing the likelihood of rainfall runoff,” a spokesperson said.
High astronomical tides combined with storm surge and onshore winds “will increase coastal flood risk in the days ahead”.
Coastal flooding is considered likely during high tides, especially in low-lying exposed areas, while high tides may also prevent river water from discharging into the sea, causing water to back up and increase upstream flood risk.
Cork County Council also advised that high tides may prevent river water from discharging to the sea, “potentially causing water to back up within river channels and significantly increasing the risk of upstream flooding along low-lying areas”.
The council is urging the public to monitor updates from Met Éireann and Cork County Council regarding weather conditions, road closures and community alerts.
Motorists are advised to reduce speed, expect debris and surface water, and never drive through floodwater.
Meanwhile, Waterford City Council has urged the public to exercise caution during Storm Bram, which could bring “destructive gale-force southerly winds and flooding.”
Flood defences will be activated in Waterford City and Passage East from 5pm on Monday evening, and the Prom in Tramore will also close.
Motorists are also being advised not to leave their cars parked overnight in the following car parks, which are at risk of flooding.
Davitt’s Quay
The Pond
The Lookout
Castle Street Carpark.
For the coming days, Met Éireann says Monday will start out “dry and bright for many with sunny spells and scattered showers” before cloud increases from the southwest through the day.
Outbreaks of rain will then move in from the south in the evening.
Highest afternoon temperatures on Monday will range from 8C to 12C in mostly moderate, occasionally fresh, southerly winds, backing southeasterly later.
From Monday night into Tuesday, the forecaster says there is “some uncertainty in the track of a deepening area of low pressure, which is expected to move up from the south Atlantic close to Ireland”.
Met Éireann says current indications suggest that it will become “very windy with possibly stormy conditions developing in parts of the west and northwest” over this period, bringing heavy rain and spot flooding, particularly in southern counties.
Temperatures on Monday night will range from about 7C to 11C, rising to 13C to 15C on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the UK’s Met Office has issued “danger to life” weather warnings for rain and wind in parts of Scotland, Wales, and South West England amid Storm Bram.
The forecaster said there is a potential for large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties, with flying debris posing a possible “danger to life”.