Parts of Cork set to experience violent gusts this evening; public urged to take ‘extreme care’

5pm update: Cork County Council has urged the public to take “extreme care” amid the Status Orange wind warning currently in place.

In a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, the local authority said parts of the county will experience severe winds.

“West Cork, and the Beara Peninsula, will experience storm force winds with violent gusts for a time this evening, particularly between the hours of 6-8pm,” the council said. “Please take extreme care.” 

The Status Orange wind warning, issued earlier today by Met Éireann, is due to remain in place until midnight.

The warning has been issued for Cork as well as counties Kerry, Galway and Clare.

11.15am update: Met Éireann has updated its weather warnings for Cork, with the national forecaster alerting the public to "strong to gale force westerly winds" later on today and possible flooding.

The national forecaster has this morning issued a Status Orange wind warning for Cork, Clare, Kerry and Galway which will come into effect at 3pm.

The warning, expected to remain in place until midnight, said strong to gale force westerly winds, coupled with spring tides will make coastal flooding "likely".

Meanwhile, a Status Orange rainfall warning for Cork and Kerry that had been in place has now been lifted. 

However, a countrywide Status Yellow rain and wind warning will come into effect at 8pm, remaining for a four hour period. 

"Very strong and gusty southwesterly winds in conjunction with spring tides may lead to coastal flooding.

"Squally showers, with a chance of thunderstorms, may lead to localised flooding," the national forecaster said.

In a statement, Cork City Council urged people to take extra care during the period the warnings are in place. 

"Cork City Council is advising motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to travel carefully due to a status orange wind warning in Cork.

"Householders are also reminded of a risk of flying debris and to ensure garden furniture and outside equipment are well secured," a council spokesperson said. 

"Strong to gale force westerly winds are forecast by Met Eireann from 3pm this afternoon, Wednesday until midnight tonight."

Earlier: Weather warnings will remain in place across Cork today after Storm Gerrit made landfall last night, bringing with it high winds and heavy rainfall across vast swathes of the county.

Met Éireann had put in place a Status Orange rainfall warning for Cork and Kerry and a Status Yellow wind and rain warning for the entire country ahead of the arrival of the storm, both of which will remain in place until midnight tonight.

The national forecaster said the last of any lingering heavy overnight rain would move eastward this morning, with the possibility of some sunny spells developing across Munster.

However, Met Éireann has warned of intense squally showers, with hail, moving across the country throughout the day on a brisk south west flow.

It will become increasingly windy as the day progresses, as what the forecaster described as a “swather of strong to gale force westerly winds associated with Storm Gerrit” move in across the country.

“Some coastal flooding is possible due to a combination of spring and high tides,” said a Met Éireann spokesperson.

“While peak winds will occur early on, it will remain windy throughout, with further scattered wintry showers along with embedded thunder storms.” 

Thursday is expected to be a “rather windy day” with a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers and the possibility of local thunderstorms.

Cork County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team convened on Tuesday afternoon to finalise arrangements in advance of Storm Gerrit's arrival.

The authority said that crews had been deployed to check and clear inlets and gullies across the county and sandbags and “pumping arrangements” will be in place across several key areas that could be at risk form potential flooding.

The council has warned that heavy showers of rain throughout the day, falling on already saturated ground, could lead to localised flooding and have warned householders in low lying areas or those known to be susceptible to flooding to take appropriate precautions.

As a precautionary measures flood barriers have been partly erected in both Mallow and Fermoy.

Cork County Council has also confirmed that that several roads across the county are impassable and closed due to flooding.

The R-587-167 road, affecting the townlands of Demesne, Derreens, Derrylahan, and Ardcahan in west Cork is impassable, as is R-621-0 road near Mallow, affecting the townlands of Kilvealaton West, Newberry, and Gortnagross.

Additionally, they confirmed this morning that the roads at Longfields Bridge and Killavullen Bridge in north Cork are both closed.

Both Cork City and County Councils have urged road users to exercise extreme caution today as driving conditions may be hazardous with possible surface flooding in places and debris on roads from fallen trees and branches.

“Motorists are advised to avoid driving through flowing or standing water and to exercise caution during heavy rain. Motorists are also asked to be especially conscious of cyclists and pedestrians,” said a county council spokesperson.

Despite the overnight wind and rain there were no major power outages reported across Cork city and county overnight.

While were no major delays to arrivals and departures at Cork Airport this morning, Ryanair has warned that flights traveling both to and from Ireland today may potentially be disrupted due to high winds.

While they said passengers will be notified of any delays, people are advised to check with their carrier before heading to the airport.