Storms sweep in

Ireland was tonight bracing itself for a battering as storm force winds began to hit the west coast.

Met Eireann said gusts of up to 130 km/h have been forecast as an intense Atlantic storm crosses the country.

A severe weather warning has been issued nationwide, with heavy rain and high seas expected to flood in some areas.

Motorists have been warned to extra take care while driving and be aware of falling debris, while people have been advised to stay away from coastal areas.

Ferry and airline passengers face possible delays and power supplies could be disrupted as strong winds travel across the country.

Flood warnings will be in operation in parts of Dublin city tonight and tomorrow, with the Liffey Boardwalk and a number of roads closed during high tides.

Dublin City Council said a number of precautionary flood relief measures, including sand bags, have been put in place at key locations in Sandymount, Ringsend and Clontarf.

Forecasters said residents could expect hail, thunder and sleet throughout the day with the weather becoming very wet and very windy this evening.

A spokesman for Met Eireann warned that a lot of places will experience gusts above 100km/h or more, with coastal areas suffering worse with possible wind speeds up to 130km/h.

He said it was already starting to get windy and wet in the west of the country.

“That wind and rain will be spreading eastwards during the next few hours and it will effect all parts of the country for several hours tonight,” he said.

“During the later part of the night it will clear away in to the Irish sea and the wind will ease off . It will become pretty light in a lot of places by morning time.

“But the winds will start to pick up again in the western part of Munster tomorrow morning, with the winds extend to the rest of the country through the evening.

“It will still be quite blustery on Monday evening, but winds will ease down Monday night.”

Senator Michael McCarthy said many areas, especially in coastal towns and communities in south west Cork, are vulnerable.

Labour’s spokesperson on the marine called on council’s all over the country to prepare for the impacts of climate change.

He said local authorities should provide for an early warning system for extreme weather events like storms and flooding.

“We may need to put in place barriers, such as walls, in places that might be under threat from such storms, to ensure homes and businesses are protected from flooding and strong winds,” he added.