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Met Eireann has issued a status RED warning for Cork and Galway for heavy rain with highest accumulations in West Cork and West Galway. There could be severe flooding and the possibility of damage to homes & businesses and dangerous/treacherous travelling conditions.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is advising road users in areas affected by the RED warning to avoid any travel during the storm window. The RED Warning is in place from midnight – 10am Saturday.
The RSA is also advising all road users to take extreme care over the weekend as Met Eireann has also issued ORANGE and YELLOW weather warnings as Storm Bert will move close to Ireland displacing the recent cold Arctic airmass. Very strong winds and heavy rain will track north-eastwards across the country over the weekend.
| Warning Type | Time | County | Advice | |
| Red Warning for: Wind & Rain | Midnight to 10am Saturday | Cork & Galway | Avoid any travel during the storm window. | |
| Orange Warning for: Rainfall | Midnight to 10am Saturday | Clare, Leitrim, Kerry, Mayo, Sligo and Waterford | Storm Bert will bring Intense falls of rain over a short period of time. Surface flooding and possible river flooding are expected as well as dangerous travelling conditions. Road users in areas affected are advised to exercise caution and check local traffic and weather conditions before setting out on a journey. | |
| Yellow Warning for: Wind | 10pm Friday – 12am Saturday.
| Leinster, Munster, Connacht, Cavan and Monaghan | Storm Bert will bring very strong southeast to south winds coupled with heavy rain. Localised flooding is expected as well as travel disruption and the possibility of fallen trees. | |
| Yellow Warning for: Snow-Ice, Rain Wind | Midnight – 12am Saturday. | Donegal | Snow will transition to rain, coupled with strong southeast to south winds. There may be difficult travelling conditions, poor visibility, fallen trees and travel disruption. | |
| Yellow Warning for Wind | 5pm Saturday – 2am Sunday |
| Storm Bert will bring very strong and gusty south to southwest winds. This could lead to fallen trees, debris, loose objects becoming displaced and difficult travelling conditions. |
Nationally, all road users are being advised to be aware of the dangers once the storm has passed. When the extreme weather passes road users will still have to contend with potentially hazardous road conditions such as flooded roads and downed pylons, lines, trees, branches, and other debris which could block roads. Obey any road closures or diversions put in place by Local Authorities and An Garda Síochána.
Where people have to use the roads the following advice is being given on foot of the weather warnings.
Motorists
- Drivers need to slow down and allow a greater braking distance between themselves and the vehicle in front in wet weather conditions. This is especially important on high-speed roads such as dual carriageways and motorways where there is increased danger of aquaplaning.
- Take special care when driving behind goods vehicles, as they generate a considerable amount of spray, which reduces your visibility. Hold back to where you can see their mirrors.
- If the road ahead is flooded, choose another route. Do not attempt to drive through it. Flooded roads that appear shallow could be deeper than you think. The verge may have subsided and there may also be trees or branches that have fallen that may not be visible.
- Road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic that have been put there by the local council or An Garda Síochána.
- After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance – this helps to dry the brakes.
- Be Safe. Be Seen. Drive with dipped headlights at all times to ensure that you are visible and that you can see other road users.
- Beware of objects being blown out onto the road. Expect the unexpected.
- Watch out for falling / fallen debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road.
- Control of a vehicle may be affected by strong cross winds. High-sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds
- Drivers should allow extra space between themselves and vulnerable road users such as people cycling and motorcyclists as they may be blown off course by strong winds.
Advice to road users e.g. pedestrians, people who cycle and motorcyclists:
- Walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.
- People cycling should ensure that they and their bike are visible to other road users by investing in a good set of front and rear lights (white at the front, red at the back) and by wearing clothes that help you be seen on your bike. Consider wearing high visibility material.
- Take extra care when crossing the road or cycling in extremely windy conditions, as a sudden gust of wind could blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
- Be Safe. Be Seen. Visibility and light are reduced in poor weather conditions. Keep safe by making sure you can be seen. Wear bright clothing and consider wearing high visibility material.
For advice on severe weather driving tips, please see severe weather advice on the RSA website or check out the RSA Facebook and Twitter pages.
Please also see our severe weather warning videos created in collaboration with Teresa Mannion here.
See advice for driving on flooded roads here and some advice on driving in strong winds here.
For more weather updates, visit Met Eireann’s website: www.met.ie