Mayo public urged to take precautions during Storm Amy

Due to the onset of Storm Amy, a Status Orange Wind Warning will come into effect for County Mayo from 2 until 10 p.m. today.

A Yellow Wind Warning will be in place earlier in the day from 12 noon and once the Orange Wind Warning expires the Yellow Wind Warning will remain in situ until 12 on Saturday.

A Red Marine Warning will also be in place for Mayo from 2 until 8 p.m. today with an Orange Marine Warning in place from 12 noon today to 12 midnight, either side of the Red Marine Warning.

The chief executive of Mayo County Council Kevin Kelly said: “Mayo County Council are urging the public to exercise extreme caution during the period the Orange Wind and Red Marine Warnings are in effect.

“The council will continuously monitor the outcomes of Storm Amy and will have response teams on standby to respond to incidents if they arise.

“Our main concern is public safety and Mayo County Council will continue to offer advice and updates through our social media channels and on our website at www.mayo.ie”

The public are advised to limit travel to essential journeys and shelter in place as much as possible, during the weather warning, and if travel is necessary, take additional care when driving and lookout for pedestrians and cyclists.

The forecasted winds have the capacity to bring severe, destructive and damaging gusts and the public are urged be aware of the dangers of fallen trees and power lines around the County.

Members of the public are advised to stay away from coastal areas during this period as there is aa potential for wave overtopping and tidal flooding in low-lying, exposed Atlantic coastal areas.

In addition to this, Storm Amy may also bring localised heavy showers, which in turn may lead to localised surface flooding, which may prevail into Saturday.

Several events across Mayo planned for today and tonight have been cancelled.