A status red warning has been issued for Galway and Clare tomorrow as Storm Jorge heads towards Ireland.
Crisis management teams across the country have been activated to deal with the conditions.
It's the 3rd storm of the month - with wet and windy weather expected in most areas.
Met Eireann's Evelyn Cusack says winds will be very strong:
"The gusts are likely to exceed a hundred kilometres per hour and that's quite a strong wind."
Wind Warning associated with #StormJorge
Level: RED
For Galway and Clare
Valid from 13:00 Sat, 29-Feb-2020
Valid until 16:00 Sat, 29-Feb-2020https://t.co/juduxcKda8 pic.twitter.com/vWA0aYTt60— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) February 28, 2020
Stay High and Dry
A status orange warning will kick in for Galway, Mayo, Clare and Kerry from 6am - and cover the whole country by lunchtime.
While a status red warning for Galway and Clare will be in effect for 3 hours tomorrow afternoon.
Therefore the National Emergency co-ordination group has met today to discuss how to respond - its chair is Keith Leonard:
"We would ask people to check on vulnerable or isolated neighbours."
"There are many people who have been isolated by flooding."
Ger Hegarty from the Coast Guard says people in coastal areas need to take extra care:
"Everyone stay back from the coastline and exposed headlands."
"Always stay high and dry."
National Weather Warnings from @MetEireann
Stay Back, Stay High & Stay Dry! 👍
Do not approach breaking waves. 🚫
If you see someone in difficulty in the sea or on the shore dial 999/112 & ask for Coast Guard.#StormJorge pic.twitter.com/wsVU4md2kt— Irish Coast Guard (@IrishCoastGuard) February 28, 2020
Power Outages Are Likely
While ESB's Derek Hynes says falling trees and power outages are likely:
"The last three stoms, Brendan, Ciara and Dennis, it's varied between 10,000 and 40,000 at the peak so we're expecting something similar."
Fan Sábháilte agus ná téigh i dteagmháil le sreanga tite. Glaoigh ar 1850 372 999 pic.twitter.com/CcUpLzrB5l
— ESB Networks (@ESBNetworks) February 28, 2020
Take Care and Charge Your Phone
Above all, the emergency group wants drivers to take extra care - and says we should all charge our phones in case of an emergency.
Finally, more rain is also due tonight, meaning it'll be an anxious few days for communities where there's a risk of flooding.
