Met eireann issues status red alert as storm rachel approaches

Met Eireann has isssed its strongest possible warning, a Status Red, in advance of the onset of Storm Rachel.

Wind gusts of up to 150 km per hour are expected, with the alert valid until midday tomorrow, Thursday.

The areas most at risk are coastal and mountain areas, running from Kerry along the west coast through Limerick, Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Donegal.

Status Red warnings from Met Éireann are relatively rare and their website advises that in the event of Red alert, people should take action to protect themselves and/or their property either “by moving their families out of the danger zone temporarily; by staying indoors; or by other specific actions aimed at mitigating the effects of the weather conditions.”

Earlier this afternoon, the national forecaster issued a new rainfall warning. The Status Yellow warning predicted up to 35mm of rainfall for Connacht, Donegal, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick, and is valid until 6pm tomorrow. It follows an earlier warning which was issued this morning.