Clare On RED Alert Ahead Of Storm Hannah

Photo © Pat Flynn

Met Eireann has upgraded its weather warning for Clare to status RED, it highest level, as Storm Hannah makes it way towards the coast.

Severe winds are expected to move in from the Atlantic from 4 o’clock this afternoon, with gusts of up to 150 kilometre per hour expected to hit Clare between 8pm and 11pm tonight, with coastal communities the worst affected.

Clare is the only county that is subject of the Status Red alert – lower level warnings are in place for other counties.

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The Cliffs of Moher are close from 3 o’clock this afternoon, while the Friary in Ennis will shut it’s doors at the same time until 10 o’clock tomorrow morning.

Met Éireann forecaster Evelyn Cusack outlines what we can expect:

Clare County Council’s Major Emergency Team is meeting in the coming minutes to ensure outdoor crews and emergency services are equipped to deal with the impact of the storm.

Senior Engineer John Leahy joins me on the line now. You’re advising people to remain indoors

People are being urged to remain indoors between 6 o’clock this evening and tomorrow morning.

Clare County Council’s Emergency number for fallen trees or issues relating to the roads infrastructure is 087 416 9496.

Update: Clare County Council has now issued advice ahead of the forecast stormy conditions.

Clare County Council is asking members of the public to stay indoors and to avoid all travel from 8.00pm to 11.00pm tonight after Met Éireann issued a Red Level warning for County Clare.

Met Éireann says north-westerly winds, associated with Storm Hannah, will reach mean speeds in excess of 80km/h with violent gusts of 130 to 150 km/h for a time this evening. The most severe winds will gradually ease as the night goes on.

A Status Orange Wind warning for Clare will be in effect from 4.00pm to 8.00pm this evening and again from 11.00pm tonight until 1.00am tomorrow morning.

Clare County Council is urging the public not to travel during the Red Level warning period (8-11pm) and says that overnight travel thereafter should only be undertaken if absolutely necessary. Organisers of events taking place in County Clare this evening are being advised to postpone events in the interests of public safety due.

Clare County Council’s Crisis Management Team will continue to meet during Friday. Clare County Council crews will commence any clear-up operations once the Red Level warning period has expired. Motorists are advised to drive with extreme caution during Saturday morning as road debris arising from the storm is expected.

The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience will be closed to the public from 3.00pm today until tomorrow, Saturday (27 April 2019).