VIDEO: West and south-west to get ‘sting in tail’ from storm Frank

Western and south-western coastal areas are expected today to get the ‘sting in the tail’ from storm Frank as severe winds and rain sweep across regions.

With hurricane force winds expected off the coast, emergency services again advised motorists, pedestrians and communities living near flood-prone areas to take care.

The national emergency coordination group met again yesterday in Dublin, saying that there would be a burst of rain and winds along the west coast early today.

This was the “sting in the tail” from storm Frank passing by Ireland, said Met Éireann’s Evelyn Cusack.

She said the centre of the storm was keeping away from Ireland but that sea swells would hit Ireland along the west and south today.

The OPW’s Jim Casey said the lower and mid regions of the Shannon had also seen water levels increase in recent days. This included a rise of 3cm in Athlone, bringing it above its highest level earlier in December.

Limerick had also seen increases of 6cm, but this was still below a previous peak.

More disruption is expected for road users today near Athlone, as well as possibly in the Cork region.

The ESB said levels of water going through the Parteen Weir dam went from 405 cubic metres per second to 440 yesterday, based on volumes built up in Lough Derg. It expects to release more, bringing levels to those recorded in 2009:

“Levels in Lough Derg are likely to increase to 2009 levels in the coming days. As a result, the flow through Parteen Weir may increase up to 500 cubic metres per second,” it said. This would cause increased flooding in related areas including Springfield, Montpelier, Castleconnell, Mountshannon (Annacotty) and the University of Limerick. Other areas between Parteen Weir and Limerick may also be vulnerable to flooding.

Roads around Salthill in Galway, were closed by gardaí as heavy winds battered the west coast.

Meanwhile, Discharge rates from the Inniscarra dam in Cork were yesterday at 180 cubic metres per second (cumecs) but there was a risk the ESB would have to increase this to above 250 (cumecs) in the coming days, said the company’s Tom Browne. This would pose a risk to downstream flooding, he said, including on the western side of the city.

The coastguard said yesterday that high winds yesterday and today were coinciding with high waters, as it warned those in coastal areas on out in water to stay safe. Five lives had been lost in waters over the last year.

Gardaí have also put out a warning to road users today not to drive through flooded roads. They also warned that flooding was likely around Athlone and Gort.

Some loading could also be expected on sea walls with swells, officials warned.

Didn't think much of #StormFrank until I saw what it was doing to the Glencar Waterfall. #defyinggravity pic.twitter.com/V5GULYtTpB

— Tracy (@tracyotoole1) December 29, 2015

The arrival of storm Frank comes just weeks after storm Desmond caused huge flood damage around the country.