Public urged to heed warnings as Storm Jorge approaches

The National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) has advised members of the public to heed the advice of local authorities as Storm Jorge approaches, with the weather set to worsen over the weekend.

The storm is likely to bring a significant risk of coastal and inland flooding as very wet and windy conditions are expected throughout Saturday.

A Status Orange Wind Warning has been issued for Mayo, Galway, Clare and Kerry and is valid from 6 a.m. on Saturday until 3 a.m. on Sunday.

A Status Red Marine Gale Warning will develop tonight on Irish coastal waters.

Met Éireann has said that rainfall amounts in February have already exceeded record levels in many part of the country.

Minister for Local Government Eoghan Murphy advised those in coastal areas to stay away from the sea.

He said there was a risk of increased flooding, fallen trees and power outages and he advised people to monitor Met Éireann's updates.

Met Éireann Head of Forecasting Evelyn Cusack said there will be damaging gusts across the country tomorrow, with winds in excess of 130km/h along Atlantic coasts.

She said the winds along the coast could reach "up to violent storm force 11, which is status red marine warning".

A Status Yellow Rainfall Warning is also currently in place for Munster, Connacht and Donegal until tomorrow night.

Storm Jorge, named by the Spanish Meteorological Service, is the third "named" storm to hit Ireland during February, a month usually associated with one of the least amounts of rainfall.

It comes after storms Ciara and Dennis brought a deluge between them, leaving lands saturated and rivers still overflowing.

Rainfall records have also been broken at Newport, Claremorris and Knock.

The NECG is now expected to meet throughout the weekend up to and including Sunday as the impact of the storm unfolds.