What Irish people should do before and after Storm Lorenzo surges cause damaging floods

Hurricane Lorenzo is moving "rapidly" away from the Azores as it continues to hurtle towards Ireland.

Met Eireann has issued a Status Orange wind warning for six counties along the west and southwest of the country as the cyclone approaches.

The national forecaster has warned of the storm's surges, which may result in coastal flooding and damage.

Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick will be under the orange alert between 6pm on Thursday and 3am on Friday.

Hurricane Lorenzo moving away from the Azores and heading towards Ireland (EUMETSAT)

Gusts of up to 130km/h will be recorded, while average wind speeds will be as high as 80km/h.

Meanwhile, a yellow rainfall and warning will be in place for the entire country from Thursday morning.

The spells of heavy showers will see in excess of 50mm of rain fall, which will lead to flooding.

So, ahead of the potential flooding, Water Safety Ireland has compiled a list of things the public can do to prepare for the floods and violent winds.

Flooding in Mayo (stock image) (Paul Mealey)

What should I do when I hear a Flood Warning?

• Check on neighbours particularly if they are elderly, infirmed or families with young children
• Move your vehicles to higher ground
• Move animal stock to higher ground
• Check your small craft to ensure they are well secured or moored
• Make sure you have warm clothes, food, drink, a torch and radio
• Block doorways and airbricks with sandbags or plastic bags filled with earth. Floodgate products will work effectively also
• Switch off gas and electricity supplies if flooding is imminent.
• Check the time of High Water online or in the Newspaper.
• Power cuts are likely - charge your phone & power bank
• New batteries in your torch & one in the car too
• Check out  www.flooding.ie and  https://waterlevel.ie for more detail on General flooding and water levels

 

Personal Safety

• Avoid flood waters at all times
• Carry a mobile phone at all times in case you need to call for help – call 112 or 999 in emergency
• Wear suitable protective clothing & a lifejacket in, on, or around water
• Do not enter fast flowing water
• Never put your feet down if swept away by fast flowing waters
• Flooding on roads will be deeper at dips and around bridges
• Stay away from sea and flood defences
• When walking or driving, be aware of manhole covers and gratings that may have been moved due to the heavy flow of water
• Take care when using electric appliances in damp or flood conditions
• Remember that during the hours of darkness the dangers are multiplied.

 

After the flood

• Don’t eat food that has been in contact with flood water
• Run water for a few minutes and wash your taps
• Check gas and electricity supply
• Leave wet electrical equipment alone to dry and have it checked prior to use
• Ventilate your property well
• Check on elderly neighbours.