Live weather: Red rain alert issued for Cork and Galway as Storm Bert approaches
Picture: Marie Tiah Who Hand Getting Stephen In A Shoe From And O'donovan Help In Clifford's Photography Works Anne They Murphy's Bantry Cronin Helping Tara O'driscoll O'driscoll As Shop
A status red rain warning has been issued for Cork and Galway ahead of Storm Bert, the second named storm of the season.
Met Éireann issued two separate red warnings for the counties on Friday with "severe flooding" and damage to homes and businesses expected.
For Cork, Met Éireann said the highest accumulations of rain are expected in west Cork, with the warning in place from midnight until 10am on Saturday. The same warning applies to Galway, with the highest accumulations expected in the west of the county.
The impacts include "severe flooding, damage to homes and businesses and dangerous or treacherous travelling conditions".
Taoiseach Simon Harris has directed Government Ministers to ensure all supports are in place ahead of the arrival of Storm Bert.
Mr Harris has asked Enterprise Minister Peter Burke to prepare a draft memo that will outline the financial assistance available for businesses impacted.
The scheme will go some way in assisting businesses, who through no fault of their own, were unable to secure flood insurance, to put right any damage caused by the floods.
He has also been in touch with Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys, who has now activated her Department’s Humanitarian Assistance Scheme.
The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme provides financial support to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who are unable to meet costs for essential needs, household items and structural repair.
It is understood that an incorporeal meeting of the Cabinet will be called depending on the severity of Storm Bert.
On the back of the red warning, Cork County Council's severe weather assessment team convened this afternoon.
The council currently has staff monitoring the situation in "vulnerable areas" such as Bantry and Midleton throughout the night.
According to the council, crews have inspected key high-risk areas, and "pumping arrangements are in place in known problem locations."
Sandbags are also available at priority locations, and flood barriers have been installed in Mallow and Fermoy as a precaution.
In a statement, a council spokesperson said: "Issues such as flooding and road damage can be reported over the course of the weekend to the Council’s Emergency Out of Hours number (021) 4800048.
"In the event of an emergency call 999 or 112 and request the Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Gardaí or Irish Coastguard as appropriate. DO NOT assume others will do this."
Meanwhile, Cork City Council’s severe weather assessment team also met this afternoon and reviewed the latest forecasting information for Storm Bert.
It said while there will be substantial rain, no tidal flooding is expected and Cork City is not expected to get red warning rainfall levels.
The city council said it expects lesser rainfall amounts around orange warning levels - similar to that of October 4.
"Heavy rainfall is expected from midnight tonight to 10am Saturday," the council said.
"No tidal flooding is expected but some localised spot flooding and appearance of debris because of rainfall are likely.
"Motorists are asked to slow down, drive with extra care and to ensure that they drive in a manner that protects vulnerable road users, including cyclists and pedestrians."
Bantry residents are tonight “living in fear” ahead of the Status Red Rain Warning for Cork, according to local politicians.
But Independent Ireland councillor Danny Collins said that the town - which was flooded just last month - has been making preparations, thanks to Cork County Council.
Sandbags, for example, have been available around the town centre since Thursday evening.
“In fairness to Cork County Council, businesses and residents in areas that are expected to be worst hit are being given sandbags.
“Added to that, the council has pumping machines at the standby and there has been a concerted effort to prepare for the worst.”
He said the mood in the town was one of “fear”.
“There is a real sense of fear around,” he said.
“You can really sense the fear from talking to people in and around the town.”
The weather warning, which was issued at 11.40an this morning, is valid from midnight tonight until 10am, but it is expected to be extended and west Cork is predicted to be worst hit by it.
Also following an assessment, Bus Éireann has decided to cancel a number of its services in Cork and Galway.
The cancelled services on Friday evening include the 21:40 service from Killarney to Skibbereen, while the 18:00 Skibbereen to Killarney service will only operate to Kenmare.
Elsewhere on Saturday, the following services have been impacted:
- 07:00 Route 236: Bantry/Cork cancelled
- 09:35 Glengarriff/Cork cancelled
- 08:30 Cork/Castletownbere cancelled
- 06:45 Route 237: Skibbereen/Cork cancelled
- 07:50 Goleen/Cork cancelled
- 09:00 Route 270: Killarney/Skibbereen cancelled
- 06:00 Skibbereen/Killarney cancelled
- 08:00 Bantry/Skibbereen cancelled
- Route 270: Killarney/Kenmare services: prior to 10:00hrs, services will operate to Glenflesk only
- Route 279: Tralee/Killarney via Killorglin: prior to 10:00hrs, services will operate Tralee/Killarney direct via N22, not serving Milltown/Killorglin
- 07:05 Route 434: Clifden/Westport cancelled
- 09:05 Clifden/Westport cancelled
- 07:10 Westport/Clifden cancelled
- 09:10 Westport/Clifden cancelled
All other services in Cork and Galway are scheduled to operate as normal but are likely to be subject to delays.
Bus Éireann is advising all passengers to check the 'service updates' section of their website before travelling.
In a statement, a company spokesperson said: "Bus Éireann will continue to monitor weather advisories as well as road conditions in the coming days and any service disruptions will be posted on our website.
"The safety of our passengers and staff is of paramount importance to Bus Éireann and we would encourage all customers to plan their journeys in advance, allowing extra time for their journey, during this period of adverse weather.
"Bus Éireann apologises to customers for any inconvenience caused."
A status red warning is rarely issued and is for "extremely dangerous or destructive" weather. When it is issued, "people in the areas expected to be affected should take action to protect themselves and/or their properties". Red warnings are issued for "rare and very dangerous weather conditions from intense meteorological phenomena".
For rain, red warnings are issued when there is expected to be:
- Greater than 50mm in 6 hours or less;
- Greater than 60mm in 12 hours or less;
- Greater than 80mm in 24 hours or less.
The warnings come on the back of freezing conditions, which saw up to 20mm of snow blanket some areas of Munster and Connacht, and temperatures drop down to -5C.
The orange rain warning ahead of Storm Bert has also been extended and has now been issued for Waterford, Kerry, Clare, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim. This warning will also be in place from midnight until 10am on Saturday with the forecaster warning of surface flooding, possible river flooding, very difficult travelling conditions and poor visibility.
A status yellow wind and rain warning for Leinster, Munster, Connacht, Cavan and Monaghan has also been put in place from 10pm on Friday until midday on Saturday.
A separate status yellow snow, ice, rain and wind warning, in place from 10pm Friday to midday on Saturday, has also been issued for Donegal.
The forecaster says Storm Bert, a low-pressure system, is currently forming in the Atlantic. As it moves closer to Ireland, it will displace the current cold Arctic air introducing very strong winds and heavy rain.
Met Éireann meteorologist Andrew Doran-Sherlock says the storm will bring milder but "very wet and windy conditions for the weekend".
"Heavy rain on Saturday and Sunday will likely lead to localised flooding in urban areas and some river catchments particularly in the west and southwest, as this rain is falling on already saturated and waterlogged ground," he said.
Temperatures will rise with highs of 12C to 15C on Saturday and 10C to 13C on Sunday. At night, the mercury will only fall to lows of 5C or 6C.
Mr Doran-Scott said Met Éireann are monitoring the situation closely and will "upgrade/issue warnings as Met Éireann’s high-resolution model (which provides information two days ahead) is analysed".
"There’s a strong likelihood of status orange wind warnings in western and northwestern counties," he added.
Ahead of Storm Bert's arrival tonight, flood barriers will be erected at two Cork towns — Mallow and Fermoy.
Cork County Council’s severe weather assessment team met on Thursday afternoon, with the local authority saying council crews will be deployed to inspect key high-risk areas and will continue to monitor the situation throughout the weather event.
"Pumping arrangements will be in place in known problem locations. Sandbags will be available at priority locations. Flood barriers will be installed in Mallow and Fermoy as a precaution,” it said.
“Members of the public are advised to exercise caution as driving conditions may be dangerous overnight on Friday and into Saturday morning, with spot flooding possible.
“Motorists are advised to avoid driving through flowing or standing water and to exercise caution during heavy rain. Motorists are also asked to be conscious of cyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users."
On Friday, the council said road surfaces remained slippery in parts of Kanturk, Charleville, and Newmarket, and urged motorist to drive with caution, even on roads that had been treated.
Kerry County Council said black ice patches had been reported on many roads around the county. A spokesperson urged motorists "to slow down, maintain greater distance to any car in front and be patient".
Meanwhile, a status yellow low temperature and ice warning remains in place for the whole of Ireland until midday on Friday.
This week's cold snap brought widespread disruption to parts of the west, southwest, and south, with heavy snowfalls forcing some school closures, as well as power outages, fallen trees and significant travel disruption.
Schools in parts of west Clare, west Limerick, Mayo, and Galway stayed closed on Thursday due to hazardous travelling conditions along certain bus routes.
Check out the Irish Examiner's WEATHER CENTRE for regularly updated short and long range forecasts wherever you are.