Disruptions to services due to red weather warning – Met Eireann has issued a status RED warning for Clare, Cork and Kerry.

Red Update – Clare has also been added to the list of red warning counties and advice for road users there is not to make any journeys until the red warning expires. The red warning is in place from 4pm Tuesday to 1am Wednesday

Orange Update – Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal have been added to the Orange warning counties. Northwesterly winds will reach mean speeds of 65 to 80 km/h with severe or damaging gusts of 100 to 130 km/h, with localised stronger winds likely. Due to a combination of high waves, storm surge and high tide, coastal flooding is expected. Disruption to power and travel are likely. This warning is in place for Sligo and Leitrim from 8pm Tuesday until 8am Wednesday and for Donegal from 2am Wednesday to 2pm Wednesday.

This supplements the advice below issued at 3pm yesterday

Met Eireann has issued a status RED warning for Kerry and Cork for southwesterly winds later veering northwesterly that will reach mean speeds in excess of 80 km/h with severe or damaging gusts in excess of 130km/h. Due to a combination of high waves, storm surge and high tide, coastal flooding is expected.

Disruption to power and travel are likely. 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 6am Tuesday 7 December until 9pm Tuesday 7 December.

Met Eireann has also updated its ORANGE warning to now include counties Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Mayo, Waterford, Wexford, Dublin, Louth, Wicklow and East Meath. South-easterly winds, later veering north-westerly will reach mean speeds of 65 to 80 km/h with severe or damaging gusts of 100 to 130 km/h, with localised stronger winds likely, with severe gusts on coasts.

Due to a combination of high waves, storm surge and high tide, coastal flooding is expected. The warning is in place from 6am Tuesday 7 December until 6am Wednesday 8 December. Those in areas affected by the ORANGE Weather Warnings are being asked to consider postponing their journey until the storm has passed.

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.

For advice on severe weather driving tips, please see severe weather advice on the RSA website here.

Please also check out the RSA Facebook and Twitter  pages

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