The Met Office has issued orange wind alerts for a number of regions in the country due to the impending Storm Kathleen this Saturday. The affected regions include Cork, Kerry, and Waterford from 7 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon, followed by Galway and Mayo from 9 in the morning until 6 in the evening. In addition, a yellow wind warning has been implemented nationwide as of Saturday morning.
Storm Kathleen is a substantial low-pressure weather event moving along the western coast. It is expected to deliver strong winds from the south and potential destructive gusts across the country on Saturday.
A Met Éireann briefing was convened on Friday morning by the National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management (NDFEM) crisis response team in order to discuss the potential impacts of the storm. The storm’s likely consequences include challenging travel conditions, tree falls, power failures, coastal flooding, and wave overflows.
Keith Leonard, the national director of the NDFEM, addressed the public after the meeting, recommending people “avoid all coastal regions while the Met Éireann warnings are active”. He went on to emphasize the risk posed by strong winds to motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and operators of large vehicles, with particular reference to the danger of falling trees and flying debris. He advised never to touch or approach downed wires and to report any instances to ESB Networks at 1800 372 999.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has also urged road users to be vigilant when travelling on Saturday. The orange wind warnings are active for Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Mayo, and Galway, during which Storm Kathleen will produce heavy southerly winds.
Road users are cautioned to be aware of airborne debris or objects landing on the roads, and drivers should increase their distance from vulnerable users like cyclists or motorcyclists. Use of dipped headlights at all times and an increased braking distance in wet weather are also recommended.
Those on foot are encouraged to stick to the right-hand side of streets, confronting oncoming traffic if pavements aren’t available. Bicyclists are strongly advised to make certain they and their bicycles are clearly visible to motorists, by incorporating a reliable set of front and rear illumination devices (white in the front, red at the rear) and sporting high-visibility apparel.
In addition, several events in Kerry have been called off in anticipation of Storm Kathleen, with planned closures for touristic sites in Killarney National Park this coming Saturday. The Kerry County Council, partnered with KWD Recycling, the sponsor for the annual clean-up, have requested those planning to join this year’s County Clean-Up on Saturday to postpone their local clean-up activities this weekend.
Due to the predicted orange weather warning related to Storm Kathleen, the Council announced that no local clean-up actions should be held this weekend. The time frame during which participating teams are allowed to gather litter has been prolonged by a week till Sunday, April 14th, after which picked up garbage will be appropriately discarded.
As per the council spokesman, “Any ‘Tidy Towns’ groups or volunteers who had previously planned to join in on the County Clean-Up scheduled for Saturday should enact their clean-up procedures at a different time post the weekend when conditions are safe”. Killarney House & Gardens and Muckross House will remain shut throughout Saturday owing to the orange weather warning.
Inhabitants in Kerry, particularly those using the roads, are being urged to take into account the potential risk of falling trees and branches, additionally, caution is recommended in coastal regions amidst the public warning. There’s also an expectation for the cancellation of scheduled sporting events this Saturday.