Storm Darragh - Wind and Rain Warning

Storm Darragh will bring very strong and damaging gusty winds and heavy rain on Friday, 6th December.

Met Éireann has issued a status orange wind warning, effective from 10pm on Friday, 6th December until 10am on Saturday, 7th December. 

A status yellow - wind warning, will also be effective either side of the orange warning, from 3pm on Friday, 6th December until 3pm on Saturday, 7th December.

A status yellow - rain warning, will also be effective from 10am on Friday, 6th December until 10am on Saturday, 7th December.

Possible impacts include:

  • Fallen trees
  • Difficult travel conditions
  • localised flooding 
  • Damage to power lines
  • Debris, loose objects displaced
  • Damage to already-weakened structures

Advice for householders

  • Ensure any large items such as lawn furniture or trampolines are secured
  • Power outages are likely to occur in certain parts of the country. The ESB is advising the public to stay away from fallen cables that may have broken due to the high winds. ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999. Gas Networks Ireland's emergency number is 1800 20 50 50.
  • Charge all devices and any battery packs, and have a torch or candles to hand
  • People are asked to check in on isolated and vulnerable neighbours in advance of the oncoming severe weather and again after the worst of the event has passed.

The public is advised to monitor Met Éireann forecasts for their area and to be aware of the weather conditions and to heed safety warnings.

Cavan County Council crews will be mobilised to deal with any emergency situations as they develop. The council's out of hours emergency phone number is 087 611 8116. For Gardaí, Ambulance, or Fire Brigade, dial 999 or 112.

Advice for Driving in storm conditions

The Road Safety Authority has the following advice for road users:

  • Consider whether your journey is absolutely necessary
  • Drivers need to slow down and allow a greater braking distance between themselves and the vehicle in front in wet weather conditions. This is especially important on high-speed roads such as dual carriageways and motorways where there is increased danger of aquaplaning.
  • Take special care when driving behind goods vehicles, as they generate a considerable amount of spray, which reduces your visibility. Hold back to where you can see their mirrors.
  • 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. The verge may have subsided and there may also be trees or branches that have fallen that may not be visible.
  • Road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic that have been put there by the local council or An Garda Síochána.
  • After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance - this helps to dry the brakes.
  • Be Safe. Be Seen. Drive with dipped headlights at all times to ensure that you are visible and that you can see other road users.
  • 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.

Advice to Pedestrians, Cyclists, and motorcyclists:

  • Be Safe. Be Seen. Visibility and light are reduced in poor weather conditions. Keep safe by making sure you can be seen. Wear bright clothing and consider wearing high visibility material.
  • Make 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.
  • Cyclists should ensure that they and their bike are visible to other road users by investing in a good set of front and rear lights (white at the front, red at the back) and by wearing clothes that help you be seen on your bike. Consider wearing high visibility material.
  • Walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.

For advice on severe weather driving tips, please see severe weather advice on the RSA website or check out the RSA Facebook and Twitter pages.