Orange wind warning for Galway
GALWAY residents are advised to prepare for the impact of Storm Boelo as Met Éireann issues an orange wind warning for the county from Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning.
According to the weather forecasters, the storm will bring forceful, severe and damaging gusts of westerly winds, potentially causing damage to already weakened structures, power lines and fallen trees.
A yellow rain warning has also been issued for the county, with the public warned of saturated ground, flooding and river level increases.
Road safety advice
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is urging road users to exercise caution during the bad weather, which may create difficult travelling conditions with localised flooding.
Motorists are advised to slow down and allow a greater breaking distance between themselves and the vehicle in front, especially on high-speed roads where there is increased danger of aquaplaning.
They should avoid flooded roads, as these could be deeper than they appear, the verge may have subsided and there may be fallen trees or branches that may not be visible.
Road users are also encouraged to follow recommended routes and obey the signs of any road closures put in place by the local council or Gardaí.
Cyclists and pedestrians are also urged to ensure visibility by wearing high visibility clothing and take extra care when crossing roads or cycling in extremely windy conditions.
The strong winds are also expected to disrupt the transport services including bus, train and air travels.
Bus services
Bus Éireann has advised customers to check its latest service updates across the weekend to stay informed of any changes to schedule due to the impact of the storm.
Chief Customer Officer, Allen parker has said that all Bus Éireann services are scheduled to operate as normal, “however if any are impacted by the stormy weather, we will post details online as quickly as possible to keep our customers informed”.
“The best approach would be to check service updates on our website before leaving home, to minimise any potential disruption,” he added.
Sports events impacted
The updated weather warnings have also impacted local sporting events such as the Galway Senior Football championship and the race meeting at Ballybrit.
The final between Maigh Cuilinn and Salthill-Knocknacarra has been moved from Saturday evening to Sunday afternoon, while the Galway Primary Junior and Primary Junior 2 football finals will now be played on Bank Holiday Monday at Pearse Stadium.
Galway Racecourse has also rescheduled the race meeting from Saturday, October 24 to Monday, October 26, which means the three-day October Bank Holiday Festival in Ballybrit will now start on Sunday and conclude on Tuesday.
A high tide advisory has also been issued for Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal from 3pm on Saturday to 7am on Sunday.
The National Severe Weather and Flood Coordination Group has issued guidelines for public safety and is advising everyone to stay alert of fallen trees and debris, stay away from fallen cables and report them immediately to ESB Emergency Services on 1800 372 999.
For latest weather warnings and forecast information, visit: www.met.ie.