Live: Cork motorists advised to drive with caution as Storm Debi hits Ireland

CORK motorists are being advised to take extreme care after Storm Debi passed over the county overnight with the potential of fallen trees and debris on roads.

A status orange wind warning for Cork has now passed but a yellow wind warning is in place for the whole country until 3pm today. 

There is a report of a tree down on the Ballea Road heading toward Cork Airport. 

The Dursey Cable Car has closed for the day with Cork County Council advising people to "stay high, stay dry and stay back from the coast, rivers and streams. Stay safe if travelling and please be particularly conscious of vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians".

Last night, after the orange warning was issued for Cork, a number of schools in the city and county contacted parents to advise of later openings today.

Cork County Council's Severe Weather Assessment team convened last evening.

In a statement issued last night, Cork County Council urged road users to be aware of the danger posed by high winds.

"Driving conditions may be hazardous with surface flooding possible. Motorists are advised to drive with caution during heavy rain, not to drive through flood waters and be conscious of cyclists and pedestrians," the statement said.

It advised that Dursey Cable Car will be closed today and will return to operation only when wind speeds permit and following inspection if necessary.

Updates will be available on @CorkCoCo social media.

"Issues such as fallen trees, flooding and road damage should be reported to the relevant local area office during working hours or contact the Council’s Emergency Out of Hours number (021) 4800048 (5pm-9am). Contact details for the Council’s Area Offices are available at www.corkcoco.ie or by contacting Cork County Council Headquarters on (021) 4276891 between 9am and 5pm," the statement added.

Met Eireann are warning of a potential “danger to life” in other parts of the country as Storm Debi brings winds of up to 130 kilometres per hour to large areas of the the country today.

Schools in parts of the country have been asked to delay opening, as weather warnings came into effect for the entire island.

While a yellow warning for every county in Ireland came into effect at midnight and is due to remain until 3pm on Monday, the majority of people are also living in areas where Met Eireann has issued red warnings due to “severe and damaging gusts”.

The first red warning was extended in east Galway and south Roscommon until 7am.

As the storm tracks northeast over the island, a second red warning has come into effect for Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Louth, Meath, Wicklow, Offaly and Westmeath until 9am.

A status orange wind warning also applies to these counties as well as Longford, Cavan, Monaghan, Kilkenny, Longford, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Carlow and the rest of Galway and Roscommon from 2am until 10am.

Dublin Airport warned the weather “may cause some disruption to early morning flights”, while the Luas said there will be no Red or Green Line tram services operating before approximately 10am.

Dublin Coach also advised a number of its services were cancelled because of the weather warnings with updates to be provided throughout the day.

It comes after parts of the island were devastated by floods during intense rain from Storms Babet and Ciaran.

Met Eireann says it will be “very windy or stormy” across the country, with heavy rain and a chance of embedded thunderstorms and hail.

It warned there is a possibility of localised flooding, hazardous driving conditions and fallen trees.

SCHOOLS

The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) advised schools and pre-schools in counties with red and orange warnings to remain closed until 10am on Monday.

The national director for fire and emergency management advised people to stay away from coastal areas as conditions will be “extremely hazardous”.

Keith Leonard also warned: “People are advised to keep track of the Met Eireann weather forecast because those counties in red, orange could change at short notice.” Mr Leonard said people should expect lengthy delays across public transport and delays at ports and airports.

He added: “Employers are asked to have some flexibility in relation to employees who have to travel to work and if working from home is an option, that will be the preferred option for people in the counties affected.” 

Mr Leonard said road users should be aware of “very hazardous and difficult conditions” on Monday, including downed power lines.

He said there will be a substantial number of downed trees and other debris during the “serious winter storm with some dangerous features”.

“A very important message in relation to keeping your phone charged. There’s going to be extensive electricity outages and your mobile phone is your link to the emergency services.”