Storm Bram: Laois upgraded to Status Orange as public advised to be ‘very careful’

Laois will be under a Status Orange - Wind Warning by 11am this Tuesday morning, as Storm Bram brings very strong winds.

Every county in the Republic of Ireland including Laois will be under Orange weather warnings by Met Éireann, with coasts under a Red warning as the serious storm hits today.

The public is advised to secure any loose items that could become missiles in the wind, and avoid unnecessary journeys.

After a week of persistent rain, Met Éireann said soils across the country are already highly saturated and many rivers are approaching bank full conditions, so any additional rainfall is likely to result in surface and river flooding.

"Storm Bram will bring very strong to gale force southerly winds with severe gusts," Met Éireann says.

Impacts will be: Flooding of low-lying coastal areas, especially during high tide and Wave overtopping
Difficult travel conditions. Debris, loose objects displaced. Outdoor events impacted. Power outages.

It is valid from 11am Tuesday until 7pm this evening. 

Forecasters are warning of flooding of low-lying coastal areas especially during high tide, wave overtopping, difficult travel conditions, flying debris, and potential power outages.

The storm has already resulted in some travel disruption with Emerald Airlines has “preemptively” cancelled a number of flights from its Tuesday schedule, according to Dublin Airport.

The airport said other airlines have indicated “that they continue to monitor the situation”.

An orange warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, and Waterford is in place until 3pm.

A separate orange warning for all of Connacht, as well as Cavan, Monaghan, Clare, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, and Offaly was announced for 11am to 9pm. A third orange warning for Donegal was announced for between 2pm and 9pm.

Met Eireann forecaster Gerry Kelly said it was a day to be “very, very careful”.

He told RTE’s Morning Ireland: “It is going to be a very windy day everywhere, and there is certainly a possibility for all areas to reach those levels for a time.”

He particularly highlighted a risk of coastal flooding in the south of the country during high tide on Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile, warnings in Irish waters have also been upgraded with a status orange storm warning for all coasts and on the Irish sea applying until midnight.

In addition, two red marine warnings are in place between 8am and 3pm, combined with a similar advisory between midday and 8pm from Loop Head to Erris Head to Malin Head.

Forecasters are advising that south to southwest winds will occasionally reach violent storm force 11.

The Road Safety Authority has the following advice for drivers during Orange Wind warnings.

"Road users in areas affected by the Orange Warning are recommended to check local traffic and weather conditions before setting out on a journey. Where people have to use the roads the following advice is being given on foot of the weather warnings:"

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 cyclists and motorcyclists as they may be blown off course by strong winds.

Drive with dipped headlights at all times.

Walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.

Cyclists 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.

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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.