By Anita McSorley

Copyright irishmirror

Met Eireann has suddenly upgraded its weather warning as a powerful low pressure system sweeps across Ireland, bringing heavy downpours and gusty winds to a growing number of areas.

The original Status Yellow rain alert, which was unusually issued a full day in advance on Monday, initially covered five counties – Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Galway – and was set to come into effect at 6pm on Tuesday, lasting until 3am on Wednesday.

In a significant update this morning, the alert has been revised. Two counties – Limerick and Clare – have been removed, while several others have now been added, bringing the total affected areas to nine.

The warning has also been split into two separate notifications to better reflect the timing and severity of the expected weather.

The first of the new alerts will come into effect at 8pm tonight for Cork and Kerry, lasting until 3am, while the second will begin at 10pm, covering Cavan, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo until 5am.

People in these nine counties are being warned to brace themselves for “heavy spells of blustery rain”, with possible impacts including difficult travelling conditions, poor visibility and localised flooding.

The rainfall thresholds that trigger a Status Yellow warning include: 20mm to 30mm in 6 hours or less, 30mm to 40mm in 12 hours or less, and 30mm to 50mm in 24 hours.

With large volumes of rain forecast and ground conditions already saturated in parts, the national forecaster is urging residents in affected counties to be proactive and prepare for the possibility of flooding.

Its Be Winter Ready campaign advises households in high-risk areas to have a flood plan in place and to prepare an ’emergency’ kit in advance.

The advice states: “If you do live in an area at risk of flooding, you may be able to lessen the impact of a flood by taking the time to prepare in advance. Make a flood plan for your family or business so that everyone knows what to do and where to go in the event of a flood. Make up a flood kit and ensure that everyone knows where to find it. Practice your flood plan. Ensure that everyone knows what has to be done and what is safe.”

Met Eireann recommends that a household emergency flood kit should include the following nine key items:

Torch Warm and waterproof clothing Battery-powered or wind-up radio Charged mobile phone Rubber gloves Rubber boots First aid kit Blankets Children’s essentials, if required

Other important flood preparation tips, according to the Be Winter Ready document, include knowing emergency numbers and keeping a printed list handy. It is also recommended to store valuable documents, such as passports and insurance policies, in waterproof containers to protect them from damage.

Households should also make a list of their most valuable possessions and know exactly where they are kept in order to move them quickly if needed. It’s also recommended to familiarise yourself with how to shut off your gas and electricity.

The advice also states that if possible, prearrange a safe spot where you can move your car, if you have time. Homes should also keep any necessary medication close at hand to ensure it’s accessible in an emergency.

The full national forecast for today reads: “A dry and bright morning for most with isolated showers, mainly in Ulster and parts of Munster. Cloud will continue to build from the southwest through the day with outbreaks of rain and drizzle developing in the southwest by the afternoon, and gradually extending northeastwards through the rest of the day, turning heavy in the southwest later. However, the rain won’t reach Ulster and parts of north and east Leinster until night-time. Highest temperatures of 14C to 17C in light to moderate west to southwest winds, backing southerly later and freshening in the southwest and west.

“Widespread outbreaks of rain tonight, heavy and possibly thundery in places, with spot flooding likely. The rain will mostly clear eastwards by morning with some patches of fog developing in southern areas. Lowest temperatures of 9C to 14C with southeasterly winds increasing fresh and gusty, stronger near coasts, veering southwesterly as the rain clears.”

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