STORM BARRA: Latest updates as storm makes landfall in Waterford

A Status Red Wind Warning remains in place for Cork, Clare and Kerry until 9pm on Tuesday as Storm Barra hits the country.

Status Orange alerts are currently in place for Waterford and five other counties – Clare, Limerick, Galway, Mayo and Wexford

There's disruption to homes and businesses due to power outages and fallen trees, branches and debris on the roads.

Schools and colleges were closed today (Tuesday) and will remain so tomorrow (Wednesday) after the Department of Education issued this advice.

Power Outages

Schools to remain closed

Schools are set to remain shut tomorrow in counties which are currently under, or scheduled to be under red and orange weather warnings.

Schools in Waterford, Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Cork, Kerry, Wexford, Limerick, Galway and Clare are set to remain closed tomorrow with colleges in these counties also set to remain shut.

Any schools outside of these zones can re-open where safe to do and the decision to open or close lies with individual schools if they believe remaining closed is justifiable.

Traffic and Travel updates

In Transport news, Plunkett Station in Waterford City has now reopened following earlier flooding on tracks. 

The Passage East Car Ferry is currently suspended.

Bus Éireann say that power lines are down in the Clonard Park area. As a result Route W1 is unable to operate via Ballybeg Services are operating as normal to Woodlawn Grove and the next stop is the Old Crystal Factory (352191)

Road updates:

• The Prom in Tramore is closed until further notice
• Tourin/Cappoquin Road L1018 closed due to road flooding.  Closed from N72 Junction to Graveyard.  Diversion via Lismore.

The following roads have now re-opened:

• Dunmore Road
• Billberry Road
• Tramore Road
• Marian Park

The following roads have fallen trees or obstructions

• Fallen electricity link on the Kill Road by Dunhill Cross
•  Garranbane Rd, close to the Ballinroad Cross
• Coast Rd at Fenor; Co Waterford the near pub
• Cullencastle Tramore
•  Gracedieu East. Engineers have been notified and are in attendance
• Curraghglass, Tallow, 2 miles from Tallow, heading towards Connell. Fire Services are in attendance
• Tycor mews, #Waterford City blocking access
• Small tree down on Woodstown Road by Woodstown House
• A tree has fallen on the Dungarvan / Cappoquin Road at Affane while there are also branches down on the N25 at Garranbane.
• There are reports of a fallen tree on the N25 between Newtown Cross and Dunphys Pub in Kilmacthomas. Engineers have been notified.
• A tree is currently being removed along the Old Tramore Road.
• Report of tree and ESB pole down at Ballyshunnock, Engineers & ground crew are in attendance.

Flooding fears

The next high tides in Waterford will be between 8pm and 9pm tonight. Fergus Galvin, Director of Services with Waterford Council advises people to stay away from the coasts.

The council says this event will likely cause structural damage and significant surface water flooding throughout the county and, in such an instance, people are advised to undertake essential travel journeys only.

Storm surge around the Waterford Estuary is forecast to be significant and in the range from approximately 50cm to 60cm, and this will co-incide with astronomical spring tides close to Highest Astronomical Tide (HAT). This will result in the HAT being exceeded in many coastal locations especially those associated with Orange and Red wind warnings.

All appropriate flood defence barriers have being erected and the situation is being actively monitored.

Members of the public can continue to contact Waterford City and County Council’s Customer Services Desks on 0818 10 20 20 during normal office hours after which calls will be transferred to the Council’s emergency services number or email [email protected]

Latest high resolution charts for wind gust forecast and you can see strong and damaging winds continue all through today. #StormBarra pic.twitter.com/nLmG3lV5bX

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) December 7, 2021

Emergency numbers

Please note the following emergency contact numbers below:
Emergency 999/112
Irish Water Emergency 1850 278 278
ESB Networks 1800 372 999
Gas Networks Ireland 1850 205 050

Roads

The Irish Coast Guard, Road Safety Authority, An Garda Síochána and Local Authorities have issued the following public safety advice:

·       Stay away from all coastal areas for the duration of the Met Éireann warnings

• All road users should be aware of the hazardous travelling conditions, and only necessary journeys should be undertaken. Motorists should slow down and be aware of the dangers of fallen trees and debris. High sided vehicles are particularly vulnerable during this time.
• As conditions will vary throughout the event, people need to take account of the local conditions and advice from their Local Authority.
• 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
• Should red level warnings be issued, the public are advised to shelter in place for the duration of the warning.

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