Storm Bram to be a 'multi-hazard weather event' causing significant damage and flooding

With high tide expected at 8.30am, Cork City Council has warned there is a risk of tidal flooding on low lying quays between 8am and 9am on Tuesday morning. File picture: Larry Cummins

Ireland is braced for the arrival of Storm Bram on Tuesday, which is expected to bring significant damage and disruption as it hits the country.

Met Éireann has issued a host of status orange and yellow warnings for wind and rain to come into force today as the storm develops.

Storm Bram is expected to arrive as a "multi-hazard weather event", bringing very strong to gale force winds, particularly in coastal areas. 

Expected impacts of the storm include flooding, wave overtopping, difficult travelling conditions, fallen trees and debris, with potential disruption to transport services and scheduled events.

The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) has warned Storm Bram's forecast rain is expected to arrive in areas where ground levels are already saturated. 

Due to significant rainfall in recent weeks, many rivers are already at capacity. 

"This brings a significant risk of flooding, particularly in Munster and coastal counties, where the timing of high tides may coincide with strong winds, creating a further risk of flooding," the NDFEM said. 

The public is reminded that flooding is a risk for all areas due to the current conditions, and even counties with a yellow weather warning or no weather warning will remain at risk of flooding.

The first of Tuesday's orange wind warnings, covering Cork, Kerry, Waterford, and Wexford, is expected to come into effect at 7am, remaining in place until 3pm.

The second orange wind warning, covering Clare, Limerick, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, and Sligo, is expected to come into effect at 10am on Tuesday. It will remain in place until 9pm.

A status yellow rain warning, covering Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Tipperary, Wexford, Kilkenny, and Carlow, also remained in place overnight, from 9pm on Monday to 9am on Tuesday. 

Met Éireann expects Storm Bram's peak winds to “become confined to west and northwest counties later in the day".

Due to the forecasted heavy rainfall and significant winds, Cork City Council has warned of potential flooding in the city centre on Tuesday morning.

With high tide expected at 8.30am, the local authority has warned there is a risk of tidal flooding on low lying quays between 8am and 9am on Tuesday morning.

Cork County Council has also warned of both river and coastal flooding, saying many rivers are already “approaching bank full conditions” after prolonged rainfall. “Soils are waterlogged, thereby increasing the likelihood of rainfall runoff,” a spokesperson said.

The local authority also advised high tides may prevent river water from discharging to the sea, "potentially causing water to back up within river channels and significantly increasing the risk of upstream flooding along low-lying areas".

Commuters to Cork City have been warned by Cork City Council that a number of road closures and traffic restrictions on the city quays will be necessary at high tide. Traffic diversions will be in place, but there may be delays and journeys may take longer. The public is advised to monitor Met Éireann for updates. 

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