LAST UPDATE | 26 Apr 2019

MET ÉIREANN HAS issues Status Red wind warning to counties Clare and Kerry as Storm Hannah hits the country this evening. 

The warning for Kerry came into effect at 6pm and is set to last until 8pm. The warning for Clare comes into effect at 8pm and will last until 11pm.

Winds will reach mean speeds of over 80km/h with violent gusts of 130 to 150 km/h in both counties. 

A Status Orange wind warning is also in place for counties Galway, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford lasting from between 4pm this evening and 1am tomorrow morning. 

Forecasters have said that “they are constantly reviewing the situation”. 

A statement from the Clare County Council earlier warned the public “to stay indoors and to avoid all travel from 8.00pm to 11.00pm tonight”. 

“Overnight travel thereafter should only be undertaken if absolutely necessary.  Organisers of events taking place in County Clare this evening are being advised to postpone events in the interests of public safety due.”

Director of Services for Clare County Council Carmel Kirby told RTÉ’s the News at One earlier that ”any events that might be planned for this evening need to be cancelled.”

The advice to the public is go home, tie up any loose ends that around and stay indoors from around 7pm. High winds are likely to cause a lot of debris and we’re expecting fallen trees.

We will only be able to respond to very severe incidents. Stay indoors, stay out of danger.

Storm Hannah

Met Éireann has said southwest winds veering northwest will reach mean speeds of 65 to 80km/h and gusts of 110 to 120km/h for a time tonight in other areas.

Met Éireann has issued a number of yellow, orange and red warnings

Cork County Council earlier said the Severe Weather Assessment Team has met and response crew have been put on standby. 

“Cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians should be aware of the danger posed by high winds as well as drivers of high sided vehicles,” it said. 

“People living near coastal, cliff and waterway areas are also asked to be extra cautious considering the forecasted winds which can lead to wave surges.”

A Status Yellow wind warning was also issued yesterday morning for Connacht, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Wexford, Wicklow, Offaly, Donegal, Tipperary and Waterford. 

This warning will be valid from 11pm tonight to 9am tomorrow, when the other warnings expire. 

Southerly winds are forecast to veer northwesterly and reach mean speeds of 50 to 65km/h with gusts of 90 to 110km/h. 

The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government has said that it was monitoring the storm as it moved towards Ireland.

The Department has been liaising with agencies and local authorities in relation to flood threats, emergency response coordination and public information messaging. 

Along with the gale force winds in Munster, Connacht and south Leinster tonight, outbreaks of rain are expected to continue. 

However, the rain will gradually break up into showers in the west and southwest overnight. 

It’s also due to be a windy start to tomorrow with fresh to strong and gusty northwesterly winds. 

Remaining rain in the east and north is due to clear by early afternoon, with sunny spells and scattered showers in the west and south extending countrywide. 

Tomorrow night is expected to be mainly dry, but clouds are forecast to gradually thicken from the southwest and patchy light rain and drizzle will develop in parts of Munster and Connacht overnight.

Warning to motorists

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochana have both issued warnings to motorists. 

An Garda Síochána has asked people to “take care on roads” and to “plan your journey in advance and allow plenty of time to travel”.

The Road Safety Authority is asking road users to check local weather and traffic conditions and to be aware of the conditions before setting out on a trip. 

It has issued the following advice to 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 crosswinds. High sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds.
• 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.
• Drive with dipped headlights at all times.

When driving in wet conditions, drivers are reminded:

• It takes longer to stop a vehicle on wet roads so slow down and allow extra distance between you and the vehicle in front.
• Take special care when driving behind goods vehicles as they generate a considerable amount of spray which reduces your visibility.
• Allow extra space between you and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists.
• Be aware of the danger of aquaplaning especially on roads with speed limits of 100 km/h and 120 km/h.
• Check tyres and consider replacing them if the thread depth is below 3mm.
• Use dipped headlights at all times of poor visibility to ensure you are seen by other motorists.

Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are also being asked to wear bright clothing with reflective armbands or a reflective belt. They are being urged to talk care when crossing the road or cycling in extremely windy conditions as a sudden gust of wind could blow someone into the path of an oncoming vehicle. 

Pedestrians are being asked to walk on a footpath and not in the street.

With reporting from Conor McCrave.