Update from Cork County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team Ahead of Orange Weather Warning

Cork County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team convened this afternoon ahead of a Met Éireann Status Orange Rainfall Warning for Cork.  The Status Orange warning comes into effect at midnight tonight and will remain in place until midnight 00:00am on Sunday morning.

Very heavy and persistent rain is forecast with the highest accumulation in mountainous areas of west Cork. There is a potential for tidal flooding in coastal areas. This may lead to surface water flooding. Possible impacts include river and coastal flooding, dangerous driving conditions and travel disruption.

Cork County Council crews have mobilised and continue to inspect key high-risk areas. Crews will be operating throughout the weekend and will continue to monitor the situation. Pumping arrangements will be in place in known problem locations. Sandbags have been deployed to priority locations.

Members of the public are advised to stay away from coastal areas with the Irish Coast Guard appealing to people to “Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry”. Dangerous travelling conditions are possible. Road users should pay particular attention to the risk posed by fallen trees and flying debris as trees are in full leaf. Never drive through flooded roads, the depth of the water can be deceiving.

Issues such as flooding and road damage can be reported over the course of the weekend to the Council’s Emergency Out of Hours number (021) 4800048.

In the event of an emergency call 999 or 112 and request the Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Gardaí or Irish Coastguard as appropriate. DO NOT assume others will do this.

In the event of a disruption to power supply, please contact ESB Networks at 1800 372 999. Fallen or grounded wires should be avoided and the public are advised to call ESB in assisting with the identification of fallen wires.

Weather updates are available at www.met.ie.  Cork County Council will continue to provide updates on www.corkcoco.ie and across the Council’s social media channels @Corkcoco.