Take note.
Met Éireann issued a Status Orange weather warning on Friday for eight counties which will come into effect on Sunday.
From 9am on Sunday morning until 6am on Monday, people in counties Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Kerry and Limerick will all be operating under the orange warning during Storm Atiyah.
A Status Orange weather warning means that infrequent and dangerous weather conditions may pose a threat to persons and property.
Winds are set to peak at 110km/h to 130km/h an hour in some areas and due to a combination of high seas and storm surge, there’s the potential for coastal flooding.
For those on the road during the stormy period, the Road Safety Authority has issued some advice to help minimise the effect any stormy conditions will have on you.
- Control of a vehicle may be affected by strong cross winds. High sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds.
- Beware of objects being blown onto the road. Expect road conditions to change quickly in high winds so reduce your speed.
- Watch out for falling debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road.
- Drivers should allow extra space allow between themselves and vulnerable road users, such as cyclists and motorcyclists as they may be blown off course by strong winds.
- Motorists should also be aware that cyclists may need more road space than normal due to flooding, fallen debris and wind gusts. Give them plenty of space to navigate any obstacles that may be in front of them
- Drive with dipped headlights at all times.
- If the road ahead is flooded choose another route, do not attempt to drive through it. Flooded roads that appear shallow could be deeper than you think. They may also have trees or braches that have fallen that may not be visible.
- Road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic.
- After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance – this helps to dry the brakes.
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