Tag Archives: Orange Alert

CLARE has experienced its most severe snowfall in decades, with virtually all parts of the county badly affected. Commercial life in the county was almost non-existent today, with many businesses closing and few people leaving the safety of their homes. Shannon Airport is closed until tomorrow morning, while the annual Ennis Book Club Festival, which was due to be held this weekend, has been cancelled. This afternoon all but a handful of businesses in Ennis town centre were closed. Very few vehicles made their way into the central parts of the town, and some of those that did were clearly struggling with the conditions. With inches of snow lying on the footpaths it was also very difficult for pedestrians. “I’ve never seen the likes of this before,” said Councillor Joe Cooney, of the conditions around East Clare. “A number of roads are impassable today and will be tonight as well,” he added. In the west of the county things are …

Clare County Council is warning the public to remain indoors where possible this afternoon (Tuesday) due to forecast strong winds. Met Éireann has issued an Orange Alert for Clare, the second highest level of alert that the agency can issue. From midday mean west to southwest winds of 60-75km/hr, with gusts of up to 120km/hr, are forecast. The storm, named Barney under the new Met Éireann / UK Met Office storm naming system, will peak during Tuesday afternoon and will abate slowly during the late evening. Paul Moroney, senior engineer, Clare County Council said, “High winds are forecast later today over the south western and western fringes of the country. Met Éireann have issued an orange weather warning which covers County Clare during this weather event. County Clare is likely to be affected to a greater extent than most other areas with the impact extending for a considerable distance inland through the afternoon.” “Wind strengths could average up to 75km/hour …

WHILE flooding has been reported to have receded somewhat in parts of North and West Clare this Saturday morning, severe overnight flooding was reported in Miltown Malbay, Liscannor, Mullagh, Quilty and Lisdeen near Kilkee. Many other roads, while passable, were in a dangerous condition, including the Kilrush – Kildysart road, R473. Fire service units from Ennistymon were called to a severe incident of flooding in Miltown Malbay, on the Lahinch Road and Church Road, where up to 20 houses were affected. Nearby manhole covers had burst due to the incessant rainfall. Meanwhile two people were helped to safety from a car on the road between Liscannor village and the Cliffs on Moher on Friday night. Ennistymon fire service also attended that incident when the car became stranded as the road flooded. Fire service units also attended a flooding incident in Mullagh, while several instances of cars being caught in floods, throughout West Clare, have emerged. An Orange rainfall alert had …