Seven counties have been issued with an Orange weather alert as the country prepares for the arrival of Storm Ellen this evening.
The warning kicks in at 9pm Wednesday for Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford, and lasts until tomorrow (Thursday) at 12pm.
People have been warned to stay away from coastal areas due to strong winds and risks of flooding.
Met Eireann said: ‘Storm Ellen will track over Ireland on Wednesday night and during Thursday bringing a period of severe and potentially damaging winds.
‘Associated heavy rain will also bring a risk of flooding. Due to the combination of storm surge, spring tides and onshore winds there is a potential risk of coastal flooding.’
The latest UKMO charts have the center of #StormEllen in the Southwest with strongest gusts hitting the South coast between Cork and Waterford. Ellen is one tricky storm to call with a small change in track having a big change in impacts locally but expect damaging gusts! pic.twitter.com/Y0JuLrChnc
— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) August 19, 2020
A yellow wind warning has been issued for the rest of the country.
The forecaster said:
‘It will become very windy on Wednesday night and throughout the day on Thursday. Severe gusts are likely and there is a risk of some disruption.
‘Due to the combination of storm surge, spring tides and onshore winds there is a potential risk of coastal flooding.’
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