Warnings for coastal flooding have been declared across the nation by Met Éireann as the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto make landfall. A tide advisory applying to all coastlines has been in place since Wednesday midday and will continue until midday Friday. The maximum astronomical tides (HAT) are anticipated due to the combination of high winds and supermoon tides. The presence of potent onshore winds, high tides and large waves could result in localised coastal flooding and wave overtopping over the next few days. The Irish counties of Galway and Mayo have also been put on a yellow wind alert which started from 7pm on Wednesday evening and lasted until early Thursday morning. This is a result of abnormally potent and gusty southern to southwesterly winds colliding with high tides and intense rainfall. The period of highest tide vulnerability will likely be between Wednesday 7pm and 8pm when winds are forecasted to be at their peak, as stated by forecaster Linda Hughes. The Waterford City and County Council’s severe weather management team is actively observing the conditions, with ground crews primed for deploying flood mitigation efforts if necessary. In addition the Waterford City and County Council advises the public to heed all safety instructions and stay clear of exposed structures by the coast such as piers, harbors and sea walls due to substantial risk of wave overtopping. For Wednesday, the national weather forecast indicates rain in the morning, strengthening southern winds leading to coastal flooding by evening. While Thursday will be drier during daytime, heavy rain in some areas is expected during the night, raising a possibility of flooding. Unstable conditions are likely to continue throughout the weekend and into the following week.
