This afternoon the National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management’s Crisis Management Team conducted further virtual National Coordination meetings with Met Éireann, the local authorities, the Principal Response Agencies, key Departments and responding national organisations following on from the arrival of Storm Barra. As the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is designated as the Lead Government Department for coordinating the response to severe weather emergencies at national level, the meeting was chaired by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management.

Met Éireann has a Red wind warning in place for counties Cork and Kerry until 21.00 Tuesday, and a Red wind warning for Clare valid from 16.00 Tuesday until 01.00 Wednesday.  The storm poses life-threatening dangers to the public and therefore being outside (including travel) should be avoided in red/orange wind warning counties. An Orange wind warning is also in place for many western counties and some south-eastern counties, with a Yellow wind warning covering the rest of the country. Gusts of around 90 to 110 km/h are expected widely inland. Dangerous conditions are also expected at sea with marine warnings in place along all Irish coasts, including a Red marine warning from Roche’s Point to Valentia to Erris Head.

Storm Barra will continue to bring severe and damaging wind gusts this evening and tonight. The winds will be strongest on exposed coastal areas of Munster, Connacht and later west Ulster. There will be widespread squally showers, some turning wintry. Further coastal flooding is expected along with travel disruption overnight.

Reports from around the country include spot flooding in the south east and fallen trees nationwide. Where conditions allow, local authority crews are clearing debris and trees blocking roads.

28 premises were reported as being affected by flood waters in Bantry at high tide this morning. The Department of Social Protection will liaise locally where householders have been affected. A person who requires an emergency payment can get further information on www.gov.ie/dsp under Customer Notices section or they can contact their local Intreo Centre. Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment are on standby to activate the Humanitarian Support Scheme for small Businesses affected.

HSE has suspended some services due to weather conditions. People with appointments or scheduled procedures should ring to confirm before travelling. The latest county by county information on closed services and cancelled appointments can be found at https://wwws.hse.ie/services/storm-barra/

Driving conditions will be dangerous at times overnight, with the risk of fallen trees, fallen power lines and flooding. Public transport has been disrupted across the country, with some bus routes cancelled. Irish Rail is reporting delays of up to 15 minutes to DART and operating Commuter services, due to weather conditions.

Sources for up-to-date information on transport services, road conditions and traffic updates can be found on the Department of Transport “Be Winter Ready/Contact Information” page;  https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3670b1-be-winter-ready/

Storm Barra is a dynamic event and the public are asked to monitor Met Éireann for updated warnings and information and heed Local Authority advice during this time.Local Authorities Crisis Management Teams and Local Co-ordination Groups continue to monitor and all coastal flood defences are in place. Road closures are likely in western coastal counties and the public should monitor Local Authority advisories. All information relating to Storm Barra can be found at https://www.gov.ie/stormbarra

The Irish Coast Guard, RSA, An Garda Síochána, Local Authorities and NDFEM are communicating public safety advice based on the warnings issued by Met Éireann.

The Department of Education is advising that all schools that are currently or forecast to be in a Red or Orange alert area should remain closed tomorrow, 8th December. This will allow for assessment of the impact of Storm Barra to take place. This includes counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Limerick, Clare, Galway, Mayo and Wexford.

Schools that are no longer in a Red or Orange Alert area can reopen, provided that, if there are concerns, school managers have had an opportunity to check for fallen wires and other serious damage in the vicinity of school buildings.  If an individual school (in a yellow area) is still experiencing a particular local issue relating to the storm the Board of Management can make a decision to remain closed for tomorrow.

Irish Water have reported that severe weather is impacting on plants in a number of locations due to heavy rainfall and high winds causing flooding and power outages. The most severe impacts reported are in the South-West, particularly in counties Cork and Kerry, where a number of supplies are without water and two precautionary Boil Water Notices have been issued. The Irish Water contact centre is available 24/7 on 1800 278278. Customers are urged to report loss of service or visible leaks to assist Irish Water to identify bursts. Live updates on outages are available from Irish Water twitter account @IW_Care and on their website, www.water.ie

ESB Networks have reported 49,000 homes, farms and businesses are currently affected by power outages across the country and are working to restore power to all affected. With the storm still crossing the country, more damage and interruptions to supply can be expected. Customers without power can check for updates on when their fault is expected to be repaired at www.powercheck.ie

The Civil Defence volunteers and Defence Force troops are on standby and available to assist in the response if and when required.

The key public safety messages are:

1. Stay away from all coastal areas for the duration of the Met Éireann warnings
2. All road users should be aware of the hazardous traveling conditions, and only necessary journeys should be undertaken. Motorists should slow down and be aware of the dangers of fallen trees and debris. Cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists and High sided vehicles are particularly vulnerable during this time.
3. As conditions will vary throughout the event, people need to take account of the local conditions and advice from their Local Authority.
4. The public are warned electricity wires are always live, never approach. If you see fallen or damaged wires, keep clear and phone ESB Networks immediately on 1800 372 999/021 238 2410
5. Should red level warnings be issued, the public are advised to shelter in place for the duration of the warning.
6. Keep your mobile phone charged. Mobile phones can connect to the 999 service on any operators network so even where you do not have coverage on your own network it may still be possible to make a 999 call.
7. Follow HSA safety advice regarding the use of tools and equipment during and after the storm.
8. The public and business owners are advised to fully secure any temporary outdoor structures, marquees, awnings or furniture.

NDFEM Crisis Management Team will continue to actively monitor this evolving situation working with Met Éireann, OPW and all Local Authorities.

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