LAST UPDATE | 13 Nov 2023

AT LEAST SIX people have been rescued in Galway as Storm Debi has caused significant damage to parts of the county.

Galway was under a Status Red and later a Status Orange wind warning this morning. The county now remains under a Status Yellow wind and rain warning. 

Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Galway County Council chief fire officer Gerry O’Malley said there is “considerable damage” around the city and county. 

There was severe flooding in the Salthill area following overtopping. Some areas of the city, including at the Spanish Arch. 

A breakdown of the roads currently flooded and impassible is available here.

Red Weather Alert - Galway City Local Update
(Monday 13.11.2023 8:10am)

Galway City Council will provide assistance where required to affected property owners.

For anyone that needs assistance, Galway City Council can be contacted at 091 536 400. pic.twitter.com/vZNC4SpVba

— Galway City Council (@GalwayCityCo) November 13, 2023

Sandbags have been placed at the following locations for the public overnight: 

• Tourist Kiosk Salthill
• Claddagh Hall
• Fire station at Fr Burke Road
• Spanish Arch
• The docks beside the pedestrian crossing at St Nicholas Street

The Blackrock diving tower is closed following damage from the storm.

O’Malley said the fire service attended 10 incidents in the Oranmore, Craughwell, Clarinbridge and Ballinasloe areas. 

Three of the incidents related to vehicles and floods. 

“We rescued three people from premises, two from houses and one from a business.” 

There were also three road traffic collisions.

“There are a lot of trees down, a lot of damage, a lot of debris on the roads,” O’Malley said. 

“I would urge the public to be very, very careful when travelling on roads, there’s a lot of debris on the roads,” he said. 

O’Malley said that while the worst of the storm is over, “the damage is done” and the “roads are in poor condition”. 

He reminded people that some traffic lights could be out due to power outages. 

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“In an ideal world, people should work from home if they can. If they need to travel … be really, really cautious,” O’Malley said.

Fógra/Notice#gaillimh #galway #takecare #stormDebi pic.twitter.com/I8FnNQEhrN

— Galway County Council (@GalwayCoCo) November 13, 2023

The weather assessment teams for both Galway City and County councils met this morning and are due to meet again at 10am. 

In a statement this morning, Galway County Council said there are reports of stone walls knocked onto the road at numerous locations, along with reports of fallen trees and debris across the road network. 

Members of the public are being advised not to approach any fallen trees as “power cables could be entangled in them”. 

Clean up operations are to take place throughout the day.