‘Storm Rachel’ gathers pace as wind gusts up to 150km/h expected

The Government Task Force on Emergency Planning has urged the public to “take action” to protect themselves and their property as extreme weather conditions close in on the west coast.

A status red weather alert has been issued as winds of up to 150km/h are expected between 9pm this evening and noon tomorrow. The worst period will be between 6am and 9am tomorrow morning and the Department of Education has urged schools to make decisions locally with regard to school closures but to “err on the side of caution”. The Department of Education has urged schools to “consider not opening” where a status red weather alert exists.

Met Éireann upgraded its wind weather warning to highest alert in its system.

Meteorologist Joanna Donnelly said the storm would be a “big event”.

“Red alert, it’s a danger to life. That alert is very rare. Basically, don’t go near the coast,” she said.

She said rain had started in the south west and winds were picking up, expecting to reach 150km/h in coastal and mountain areas.

The red warning is for counties Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick and Kerry and will remain in place until midday Thursday.

The severe weather warning asks people to protect themselves and their property, and stay out of “danger zones”.

Ms Donnelly said the alert means the winds are strong enough to cause structural damage such as knocking down trees and blowing slates from roofs.

She said said the winds are expected to be at their worst about midnight and still strong in the morning.

Ms Donnelly said high seas were expected tomorrow with waves of exceptional heights.

All of Ireland was under a status orange alert until 3pm on Thursday.

“The storm will affect everywhere. The rain is accompanied by a strong southerly wind, which will get even stronger,” she said.

A weather warning for rain has also been issued with rainfall of 25-35mm predicted.

Ms Donnelly likened the “strong, heavy, serious” storm, which is coming in from the Atlantic, to the storm which battered the west coast this time last year, when huge waves struck the Lahinch promenade in Co Clare and millions of euro worth of damage was caused.

“It is not as big as storm Darwin last year. Darwin came on the back of other storms so structures were already weakened. But it is a very significant storm and the first of this year.”

Ms Donnelly said after the storm eases away, there was a possibility of snowfall on Thursday.

Frost and ice will be possible in sheltered areas tonight, and temperatures are expected to reach a high on 8 degrees on Thursday.

Disruptions

The Department of Education is advising schools in red alert areas not to open.

ESB networks said they are expecting power outages from the storm and are asking people to not touch or approach low hanging wires or powerlines.

“ ESB Networks have all of our staff on stand-by to be mobilised when and where required,” the statement said.

The public have been asked to call 1850 372 999 to report any damage and check www.esbpowercheck.ie for updates.

Crisis management teams in Limerick have convened to review the unfolding situation.

Limerick City and County Council director of services Paul Crowe said the local authority urged people to be vigilant.

“We are advising the public to avoid making any unnecessary journeys,” Mr Crowe said.

A Clare County Council spokesman said the more extreme impacts would be along the coastline.

“ The advice is not to venture out or to drive on exposed roads while these conditions prevail,” he said.

He said there was still plenty of snow on high ground around the county.

“While the entire county will be affected, the most extreme impacts are likely to be along the coastline,” said the council. “The advice is not to venture out or to drive on exposed roads while these conditions prevail.”

The severe storm comes after a night of heavy snowfall, which has caused train users to experience long delays.

Iarnród Éireann said there are delays to all Intercity services into and out of Heuston station up to two hours due to a mechanical fault on a service at Newbridge.

The Cork to Heuston station train was delayed two and a half hours.

Following snow and frozen points on the tracks on the Athlone, Galway and Westport lines caused delays up to 90 minutes.

The train line between Athenry and Ennis has now reopened.

Full services were returned between Limerick and Galway but with delays.

Kerry and Cork

A number of roads are closed and minor accidents have been reported after heavy snow fall overnight in Kerry, with the north and east of the county most affected.

The public is also being advised to secure any roadside gates and objects that could pose a threat to motorists in advance of what is expected to be a hurricane style wind in the southwest this afternoon.

Several school buses have also cancelled or are running late in the Killarney and Listowel and Causeway areas.

County Council workers were clearing roads at 4am but Conor Pass in west Kerry is as expected in heavy snow falls closed to traffic.

Moll’s Gap on the Ring of Kerry is also heavily snowed.

The Castleisland area, Killarney, Listowel and Tralee were badly snowed and slush rather than ice is posing a danger to motorists, council spokesman Padraig Corkery said.

This is because other than on higher ground the temperatures did not drop to the extent which would have led to ice, he said

The council is asking people not to undertake unnecessary journeys, to close roadside gates and to tie down any flying objects such as bin covers as Kerry braces itself for a hurricane force wind this afternoon.

Driving conditions in Fermoy, Co Cork are very poor today after snowfall of up to two inches overnight.

Motorists in the area were impacted this morning as they attempted to make their way on to the main motorway towards Cork.

Delays were reported as drivers dealt with the inclement conditions. An articulated truck jack knifed near the Corrin interchange this morning.

A number of cars were spotted in ditches in county roads earlier today.

In Cork city conditions in Blackpool were quite slippery this morning while motorists were also impacted in Churchfield, Farranree and Knocknaheeny.

Conditions are also very icy in Carr’s Hill, Donnybrook Hill and Carrigaline and in Kileendaniel in the Whitechurch area of Co Cork.