Met Éireann has issued a status orange wind warning for Clare,, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, and Mayo from 6pm to 3am, with a less severe status yellow warning in place for the rest of the country.
Waterford City and County Council says at present there is a Yellow warning in place for Waterford from 9am this morning to 6am tomorrow.
They are closing the promenade in Tramore and have brought large sand bags down and put them in place near vulnerable premises.
The National Emergency Co-ordination Group will meet again this morning for the latest update from Met Éireann and to issue further advice.
Warnings have already come from a number of agencies including gardaí, ESB, and the Coast Guard.
Local Government Minister Eoghan Murphy has warned that Lorenzo will not be “one homogenous weather event” and that the public needs to pay attention to local conditions and act accordingly.
“This is a national event in terms of being a wind and rain status yellow, and six counties on the west coast are under a status orange,” he said.
“This is where our primary concern is in terms of wave surges and coastal flooding. But the wind and rain across the country will have unpredictable impacts in terms of flooding being likely, power outages being likely, and also thunderstorms.
“In terms of public safety in coastal areas and exposed piers and the orange areas, we’re asking people to stay back, stay high, and stay dry and to avoid coastal roads during the orange period.
“There may be power outages in parts of the country. So we’re asking people to check with their neighbours and the elderly if they can, to make sure that they have things like batteries in their torches, phone chargers in their cars, and their Eircode to hand as well in case of an emergency,” he said.
She said some conditions will reach status red levels in coastal areas at times, but will not be widespread.
“We’re not issuing a red warning for the whole country but what I am trying to get across is that even in the yellow areas, there could be trees down, there could be locally dangerous conditions. So people must take the advice of the local authorities, etc and be cognisant,” she said.
The Department of Education said the decision to close schools will be made locally.
Gardaí and the Coast Guard called on people to stay safe.
“Never mind putting your own life in danger but you could put the lives of the emergency services at risk just for the sake of a photo opportunity or a weather adventure or weather experience. Again, think of your actions before you make those moves,” said Garda Superintendent Tom Murphy.
By Joe Leogue - Irish Examiner Reporter
