People in areas covered by the orange warning are urged to ‘avoid unnecessary travel’

PEOPLE living in areas covered by an orange warning from Storm Aiden have been urged to “avoid unnecessary travel.”

Aiden is set to hit the country tomorrow morning, with Met Eireann issuing orange and yellow wind warnings.

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Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry and Waterford will be on orange alert until 10am, while the warning for Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Clare will remain in effect until 4pm on Saturday.

A yellow wind watch for all of Ireland will also be valid until 4pm during the first named storm of the season.

Gardai is asking the public to be especially careful on the roads and keep an eye out for downed trees and debris.

A spokesperson said: “An Garda Síochána is asking the public to be careful and cautious when ‘Storm Aiden’ strikes across the country this Halloween weekend.

“Met Eireann has issued status orange and yellow status warnings that will go into effect starting tomorrow at 5 am, Saturday, October 31, 2020.

“The strongest impacts from ‘Storm Aiden’ will be felt along the coastal areas of Munster, Connacht and West Ulster.

“A Garda Síochána would like to advise that all unnecessary travel where there are orange level wind warnings should be avoided.

‘DANGEROUS CONDITIONS’

“These winds will make driving conditions dangerous, especially for the most vulnerable road users such as bicyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists and high-sided vehicles.

“Road users must pay particular attention to the risk posed by downed trees, flying debris and flooded roads.

“The high seas and wave activity will make coastal areas dangerous, the public is advised to stay away from coastal areas / cliff walks during this period.

“People are advised to remove or secure patio furniture, garbage cans, and any loose items from around buildings.

“Local authorities will provide up-to-date information on flooding and local conditions.

“People are advised to follow the updated weather forecast throughout the weekend.

“We advise the public to check Met.ie regularly as regular updates will be provided over the weekend.”

TWO MORE STORMS

Meanwhile, Ireland will be hit by two more storm systems after Storm Aiden.

Alan O’Reily of Carlow Weather told the Irish Sun: “Storm Aiden will be the first of a few different low pressure systems heading towards Ireland.

“Once Aiden clears to the north tomorrow night, another low pressure system will arrive and it will bring another bout of wet and windy weather Saturday and early Sunday morning.

“That system looks like it will continue farther west than Aiden, so we won’t see the worst of the impacts, but there is certainly still the possibility of some strong to very strong winds and also very heavy rainfall.

“There will be a bit of respite on Sunday for a few hours, where some periods of sunshine may even develop.

“But again, Sunday night and Sunday night, it looks like another stretch of wet and windy weather is coming from the Southwest.”