Storm Lorenzo latest: Flights diverted to Cork from Shannon

Update 13:15: Cork County Council’s Crisis Management Team convened again today at midday in response to the weather warning.

Cork County Council expects the main impacts from Storm Lorenzo to include disruptions caused by fallen trees from high winds and surface flooding resulting from heavy rain on saturated soils combined with falling leaves blocking drains and gullies.

In coastal areas, Storm Lorenzo will produce significant swells, high waves and the ongoing threat of storm surges. 

A high tide advisory and a storm surge is expected this evening from 7.00pm onwards with a risk for high onshore wave activity. 

Anyone living near coastal, cliff and waterway areas are asked to be extra cautious considering the forecasted winds.

Cork County Council response crews and contractors remain on standby.

UPDATE 10:56: Two Aer Lingus flights from Birmingham and Edinburgh, originally destined for Shannon Airport have been diverted to Cork Airport as a result of Storm Lorenzo. 

Passengers will be transferred by bus from Cork to Shannon.

Yesterday, Cork Airport issued a statement urging those who are travelling by air to check with their operator for the most up to date flight information. 

So far, no coastal flooding has been reported, but it is still likely to occur.

UPDATE 10:00: The Port of Cork has advised the public that due to the current weather situation, Kennedy Quay in Cobh will remain closed until further notice. 

UPDATE 09:55: Homes in Clonakilty are currently experiencing power outages as a result of the storm. 

This morning, the ESB issued a statement on Twitter saying: "We are working to repair as quickly as possible. Apologies for the inconvenience".

As further outages may occur throughout the course of the day, the ESB's advice is that people be prepared by having a torch and extra supply of batteries in their household and to be aware of your MPRN number as well as the EBB emergency contact number: 1850 372 999 or +353 21 2382410.

Cork is bracing itself for flooding and power outages as Storm Lorenzo is set to make landfall.

Met Éireann has removed the Status Orange alert for Cork, downgrading the county to Status Yellow.

However, the Status Orange remains for other counties on the west coast.

The Status Yellow alert means winds could reach mean speeds 50 to 65km/h with gusts 90 to 100km/h resulting in some disruptive impacts.

While coastal areas are at most risk of flooding, Cork City Council’s flood warning remains in place, with low-lying quay areas particularly vulnerable at high tide, at 9.23am and 9.42pm on Thursday.

Yesterday, the city’s Severe Weather Assessment Team held a teleconference with Met Éireann to assess the potential impact on the city.

Members of the public are advised to check their property and to ensure steps are taken to secure any loose objects such as garden furniture and wheelie bins.

Traffic restrictions may also arise if quay areas experience flooding, and motorists are strongly advised to be aware of the danger posed by high winds.

Cork County Council is asking motorists to report sightings of fallen trees to their local council office.

Both the City Council and County Council have crews on standby to deal with any incidents.

The Department of Education has advised schools to “err on the side of caution” if in doubt about precarious weather conditions and to remain closed.

“Schools are empowered to make closure decisions if, in their judgment in the interests of the safety of the school community, it is prudent to do so”, the department stated.

At a meeting of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group in Dublin, Eoghan Murphy, the housing, planning, and local government minister, said Storm Lorenzo will have an “unpredictable impact” on Ireland but flooding and power outages are likely to occur.

“This weather event will be different in different parts of the country.

“It’s not one homogenous weather event. People need to pay attention to local conditions and act accordingly,” he said.

The minister also asked people to be mindful of vulnerable residents, such as elderly neighbours during stormy conditions, commenting:

“Make sure that they have batteries, torches, phone chargers in their cars and their Eircode to hand as well, in case of an emergency.”

Cork Simon Community is urging people to contact them if they require shelter during the storm.

Cork Simon director Dermot Kavanagh said: “We do what we can and, to date, we have been able to ensure that anyone who wants to get in can get in, and that is what we are going to be working towards if we end up in a weather warning situation this week.”

The CSPCA has asked members of the public to take particular care of their animals over the course of the next few days, “keeping all animals inside when possible”.

Cork City Council’s Severe Weather Assessment team is due to meet again at noon tomorrow and will issue an update for the city.