Limerick: Limerick city was bracing itself for winds of up to 80 m.p.h. last night. Severe flood warnings have been issued for today and residents living in potentially vulnerable areas including Clancy Strand and close to the Abbey River in the city are on high alert.
Limerick city was bracing itself for winds of up to 80 m.p.h. last night. Severe flood warnings have been issued for today and residents living in potentially vulnerable areas including Clancy Strand and close to the Abbey River in the city are on high alert.
While there was plenty of rain in Limerick city and county yesterday, the worst of the stormy weather conditions was expected later today.
In Co Limerick, Foynes Port is also preparing for a busy period with some boats expected to stay in port due to predictions of high seas and strong winds lashing the coasts.
Local fire crews have been readying pumps and sandbags in case of flooding.
Limerick Water Safety development officer Mr Pat McNamara warned people to cut off gas and electricity supplies if flooding is imminent.
"Block doorways with sandbags or plastic bags filled with earth and switch off gas and electricity supplies if flooding is imminent," said Mr McNamara.
Many construction companies working in Limerick were also taking precautions yesterday ordering workers down from high equipment.
The Health and Safety Authority is warning farmers not to risk going on roofs of buildings to try to secure them.
Limerick City Council spent yesterday making preparations and putting emergency staff on standby.
Kathryn Hayes
Galway: Galway and the west appeared to have escaped the worst of the storm damage yesterday.
Aran Island Ferries cancelled their 6.30 p.m. sailing to the islands as a result of the storm warning. Aer Arann had no plans yesterday evening to cancel any of their services into or out of Galway Airport today.
Both companies will decide whether any cancellations are necessary today depending on weather conditions.
The fact that the winds were coming from an easterly direction and not directly from the Atlantic reduced the chances of flooding in Galway city and county.
A spokesman for Galway city council said they had a team on duty to respond to any flooding that might occur.
However, he was hopeful the west would escape the brunt of the storm this time.
Michelle McDonagh
Kerry: Gusts of over 50 miles an hour and heavy rainfall hit Kerry.
The fire service in Kerry said they expected isolated patches of flooding in the outer Tralee area.
However, there would be nothing like the town centre flooding which had ruined businesses in former years. The construction of a culvert in Ashe Street would reduce the risk of flood damage, said Mr Donal Guerin, assistant chief fire officer for Kerry. The fire service throughout Kerry were on high alert in case of isolated flooding, he said.
A number of outdoor training sessions and minor sports fixtures in the county were cancelled.
The Valentia Observatory at Cahirciveen, reported gusts of 55 m.p.h. in the morning but the evening was relatively calm.
Anne Lucey