Met Éireann is warning that Storm Debi will sweep across Ireland on Sunday night and Monday morning.
The national forecaster has issued a Status Orange wind warning for County Clare valid from 02:00 to 10:00, and a Status Red wind warning for County Clare valid from 03:00 to 05:00 on Monday, 13/11/2023.
There is also a Status Yellow Wind & Rain warning for Ireland valid from 00:00 to 15:00 on Monday, 13/11/2023
Met Éireann has warned that it will be extremely gusty on Sunday night and Monday due to Storm Debi with potential danger to life. Possible impacts include: damage to exposed and vulnerable structures; disruption to services and transport; significant power outages; and fallen trees/branches.
Clare County Council has made preparations in advance of Storm Debi and its associated windand rain warnings. Crews will be on standby and will assess and respond to the effects of the storm.
The Council is advising members of the public to exercise caution on Sunday night and Monday morning. People should stay away from coastal areas. There is a risk of wave overtopping. The advice is to stay back, stay high, stay dry.
People are advised not to travel during the Status Red alert, while essential travel only is advised for the duration of the storm.
Road users should be vigilant for any fallen trees, power lines and debris on roads, as well as the possibility of localised flash flooding. It is likely there will be surface water on most roads.
Business owners, caravan parks, homeowners and members of the public are advised that caravans should be securely tied down and any street or garden furniture, including parasols and awnings, should be taken indoors or fully secured.
Clare County Council will be monitoring the situation for any changes in the weather forecast. Please check Met Éireann for updates.
Meanwhile, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is advising all road users to take extreme care over the next 24 hours, saying, “Road users in areas affected by the Orange Warning are advised to check local traffic and weather conditions before setting out on a journey.”
Following a meeting of the National Emergency Coordination Group today (Sunday 12 November 2023) with Met Éireann, the OPW, the local authorities, principal response agencies, key Departments and responding national organisations and to ensure public safety, a decision has been taken that all schools and preschools, are being asked to delay opening in orange and red counties until 10am tomorrow. School managers at local level will advise parents of any disruption to school services.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has also requested all Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare settings to delay opening in orange and red counties until 10am tomorrow morning, Monday, November 13, to ensure public safety.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.