Galway County Council (GCC) has issued a warning to swimmers ahead of the arrival of Storm Francis later this evening.
Shared to Twitter, the notice forewarns bathers against the possibility of an increase in the level of bacteria in the water in the coming days. Predicting both heavy rainfall and stormy conditions on the way, GCC has advised swimmers of a number of preventive measures they can take. Those measures include:
- Avoiding swallowing/splashing water
- Washing hands before handling food
- Avoiding swimming with an open cut or wound
- Avoiding swimming if pregnant or with a weakened immune system
Adding that higher levels of bacteria are usually “short-lived”, according to GCC, most bathers are “unlikely to experience any illness”.
Trá na bhForbacha – Rabhadh Roimh Ré
Trá na bhForbacha – Prior Warning#gaillimh #galway #StormFrancis pic.twitter.com/lBkb7E2PbD— Galway County Council (@GalwayCoCo) August 24, 2020
Meanwhile, Met Éirean has issued a Status Orange Rainfall warning for Connacht, Cavan, Monaghan Donegal, Wexford, Cork, Kerry and Waterford. Valid from 9pm today, it will be in place until 5pm tomorrow. Status Yellow Rainfall and Wind warnings have also been issued covering much of Munster and Leinster.
Due to hit tonight, intense rainfall is expected at times leading to accumulations in excess of 40 to 60mm (higher in mountainous areas). The most intense rainfall is expected to ease off in southern counties during Tuesday morning. River levels will be elevated as a result with some flash flooding likely.
You can keep up to date with Met Éireann weather warnings here.
Header image via Shutterstock/Blackrock Diving Tower, Salthill
