Weather Alert: Met Eireann issue Status Orange Storm Warning for Kilkenny
Risk of severe, damaging winds
The severity of the effects of Storm Eunice on Kilkenny have been upgraded to an Orange Storm Warning this morning, Thursday.
A Yellow Warning was in place from earlier this week, however this morning Met Eireann have issued the more serious warning.
According to Met Eireann: "Storm Eunice will track quickly over Ireland tonight and Friday morning bringing severe and damaging winds for a time. Southwest or cyclonic winds becoming northwest will reach mean speeds of 65 to 80 km/h with gusts up to 130 km/h. Some coastal flooding, especially at high tide."
While the Status Yellow wind, rain and snow warning remains in place from 1am on Friday to 3pm on Friday, the Orange Warning is in the middle of that window, from 3am to 11am.
Kilkenny County Council has appealed for people to secure loose items such as wheelie bins, garden furniture, trampolines, and secure any construction sites in advance of high winds, including plant, materials and fencing.
Kilkenny County Council operations crews are preparing to address any damage that may result from strong winds and emergency crews will be on standby.
All road users are advised to be cautious and slow down and high-sided vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians need to be particularly vigilant. Watch out for fallen trees, poles and flying debris and never approach fallen wires.
A Status Red Warning has been issued for counties Cork, Kerry and Waterford.