Waterford is now under a Red Wind Warning from 7am Friday until 11am.
Met Eireann has upgraded the status for the county, advising that Storm Eunice will track quickly over Ireland tonight and Friday morning bringing severe and damaging winds. Southwest winds veering northwest will reach mean speeds in excess of 80 km/h with gusts in excess of 130 km/h. Some coastal flooding, especially at high tide.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education has confirmed that schools and colleges will be closed in Waterford tomorrow (Friday) due to the updated advice.
"Due to the extreme nature of Storm Eunice and the threat of multi-hazard weather events as confirmed by Met Éireann, the Department of Education is advising that schools in counties where Status Red wind warnings are in place and in counties where Status Orange Snow warnings are in place should not open tomorrow 18 February.
"This now includes Clare and Waterford who have been issued with Status Red wind warnings."
Bus Éireann has also issued a statement to say that all of their services across Waterford city and county will be suspended from 2am until 12pm, tomorrow (Friday).
Met Eireann describes a Red warning as an "extremely dangerous and destructive weather event." Cork, Clare and Kerry are also in Red Alert status.
'Severe' and 'complex' is how a Senior Engineer with Waterford City and County Council has described Storm Eunice.
The local authority is warning the public in advance of the storm, that localised flooding should be expected, and people should avoid the coastline.
An Orange warning in Waterford takes effect from 3am and it changes to Red from 7am.
Gabriel Hynes, Senior Engineer, Waterford City and County Council, told WLR News that an early high tide may lead to extra flooding on the coast and riverside.
"We are being advised that the storm is going to be 'multi-hazardous', with severe winds and gusts of up to 130 kph and coastal flooding.
"We have high tides at the moment which are going to coincide with the peak of the storm tomorrow morning at about 6.30/7.30am and furthermore we are expecting heavy rainfall which will likely lead to localised flooding," he said.
Road/Carpark Closures in Waterford
A number of Quayside carparks, promenades and coastal roads will be closed off ahead of Storm Eunice, and Gabriel said sandbags and flood defences are currently being put out by the local authority.
"We are deploying out flood-barriers in Waterford city this afternoon and in Passage East. We are also closing off the Prom in Tramore and some of the car parks on the Quay in Dungarvan.
"I am expected coastal flooding in Tramore and the car parks in Dungarvan are likely to be flooded."
"People need to ensure that they do not leave any cars parked overnight in these areas - particularly 'The Lookout', 'The Pond', and Davitt's Quay in Dungarvan," the Senior Engineer said.
All closures are expected to take place at 6pm this evening.
Safety advice
Gabriel Hynes is urging the public to exercise caution. “With the possibility of severe winds and localised and coastal flooding, along with debris on the road, driving conditions will be treacherous.
"We would urge the public to heed all public safety advice and avoid unnecessary journeys until the storm has receded.”
The Road Safety Authority has advised that those in areas affected by Orange Weather Warning consider postponing their journey until Storm Eunice has passed.
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]
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
With severe winds predicted Waterford City and County Council advises the public to:
- 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.
- 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
- Should red level warnings be issued, the public are advised to shelter in place for the duration of the warning.
