Storm Lorenzo is on his way to Ireland, and Dublin is bracing itself as two yellow weather warnings are in place for wind and rain.
They will be in place from 9am tomorrow (Thursday), but there are some important steps to take before the Lorenzo weather arrives.
From ensuring your home will be safe during high winds, to checking on vulnerable neighbours, it only takes a few minutes to avoid potential distaster.
AA Ireland have shared some important steps to take to not only prepare your home, but to ensure you face no financial costs once the storm clears.
Here's what you can do:
Prepare Your Home In Advance
- Keep an eye out for severe weather warnings in your area, and be prepared if there is a risk of a power cut.
- Visually inspect your roof for loose tiles or damaged chimney pots and get any problems repaired. Also, make sure your TV aerial is secured.
- Clear your gutters and drain pipes to avoid blockages.
- Trim back any bushes or small trees that could damage your windows in a high wind. Be particularly mindful of any older trees in your garden which could have loose roots.
- Put a storm kit together: clothes, food and bottled water, a first aid kit; any necessary medication and emergency phone numbers; blankets and bin bags; a torch, batteries. Hopefully you won't need it, but it's always better to be prepared.
- Make sure you know where to turn off your electricity, gas and water supplies.
Before A Storm Arrives
- Secure any loose garden items, such as tools and chairs, to prevent them from being blown away.
- Unplug all non-essential electrical devices to avoid damage from power surges caused by lightning strikes.
- Park your car in a garage if possible, or move it away from buildings and trees.
- If you have any vulnerable neighbours, don't forget to check with them to see if they need any help before and after a storm.
Barry Aldworth, Senior Media Officer with AA Ireland said: "While we’re all hoping that we’ll avoid the worst of Lorenzo, the warnings from Met Eireann today do highlight that there is a risk of significant storm damage being caused to homes across the country as a result of strong winds and heavy rainfall.
"Ultimately prevention is better than cure, so if there are loose tiles on your room or older, weak trees in your garden that could be turned into flying debris in strong winds now is the time to attend to these.
“Once the warnings come into effect, however, it’s important to avoid carrying out any work outside your home and to prioritise the safety of you and your family.
"Even if conditions outside appear calm, we would encourage everyone to follow the warnings from Met Eireann.”
