Status Yellow Weather Warning for Cavan issued

As Met Éireann has declared a status yellow wind and rainfall warning for County Cavan the local authority have issued a warning statmetn to the public.

The Yellow warning will see wind speeds of up to 65km/hr and gusts of 100/km expected. The wind warning will be in effect from 9am Thursday, 3 October until 6am, Friday, 4 October, while the rainfall warning will remain in effect until 9am Friday.

As lead agency for emergency response Cavan County Council convened its multi-disciplinary severe weather team to plan a response to Storm Lorenzo. The team met this morning as weather forecasts revealed the full extend of the storm set to hit County Cavan.

Municipal District crews, Civil Defence, and Cavan County Fire Service are on standby to respond to any incidents that may arise throughout Thursday and the early hours of Friday morning.

Cavan County Council say they will continue to monitor forecasts and the situation on the ground in order to minimise disruption and help ensure the safety of the general public.

With saturated ground underfoot and trees still in full leaf, there is increased potential for this storm to cause more damage than a storm of equal strength occurring later in the year, therefore members of the public are asked to take appropriate precautions and avoid unnecessary travel during the storm.

If travel is essential, please be vigilant for falling debris and obstacles on the road. Do not under any circumstances approach any fallen power lines.

Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr Shane P O’Reilly has called on the people of Cavan to heed the advice of state agencies and avoid unnecessary journeys: “This storm presents a much greater risk of trees falling onto roadways, so I would appeal to motorists to stay at home as the storm reaches Cavan unless absolutely necessary.”

 

Road users are advised to:

 

• Beware of objects being blown out onto the road. Expect the unexpected.

• Watch out for falling/fallen debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road.

• Control of a vehicle may be affected by strong cross winds. High sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds.

• Drivers should allow extra space between themselves and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists as they may be blown off course by strong winds.

• Drive with dipped headlights at all times.

• Ensure their phone is charged before travelling in case of emergency.

 

Pedestrians, Cyclists and motorcyclists in particular are advised to:

 

• Be seen. Wear bright clothing with reflective armbands or a reflective belt.

• Take extra care when crossing the road or cycling in extremely windy conditions as a sudden gust of wind could blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

• Walk on a footpath, not in the street. Walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.

 

When driving in wet conditions, drivers are reminded that:

 

• It takes longer to stop on wet roads so slow down and allow extra distance between vehicles.

• Take special care when driving behind goods vehicles as they generate a considerable amount of spray which reduces your visibility.

• Allow extra space between you and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists.

• Be aware of the danger of aquaplaning especially on roads with speed limits of 100 km/h and 120 km/h.

• Check tyres and consider replacing them if the thread depth is below 3 mm.

• Use dipped headlights at all times of poor visibility to ensure you are seen by other motorists.

 

With added risks posed by wet or flooded roads, road users are reminded:

 

• 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.

• After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance - this helps to dry the brakes.

• Road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic.

• Watch out for washed out roads, earth slides, broken water or sewer mains, downed or loose electrical wires, and fallen or falling objects.

 

For updates throughout Storm Lorenzo, see www.cavancoco.ie/news or follow @cavancoco on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Emergency numbers:

Emergency Services (Fire/Ambulance/Garda emergency):             999 or 112

Cavan County Council (during office hours (9am-5pm):                   049 437 8300

Cavan County Council out-of-hours emergency number:                087 611 8116

ESB Networks (to report fallen power lines):                                        1850 372 999

Bord Gáis Networks (if you smell gas):                                                    1850 205 050

Irish Water (water outages):                                                                       1850 278 278

 

View a video from the Road Safety Authority on driving in high winds here