Met Éireann has issued a Status Red wind warning in five counties ahead of the arrival of Storm Debi into Ireland.
The warning is in effect in Clare, east Galway and south Roscommon from 3am to 5am on Monday and is in effect in Offaly and Westmeath from 5am to 7am tomorrow morning.
A red warning is issued when there are "rare and very dangerous" weather conditions from intense meteorological phenomena.
Met Éireann has warned of “potential danger to life” during the Red weather level, as well as damage to exposed structures, disruption to transport and power outages.
Status Red wind warnings issued now for Clare, east Galway, south Roscommon and also Offaly, Westmeath. #StormDebi pic.twitter.com/hUu05fXm6T
— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) November 12, 2023
Met Éireann also issued a Status Orange wind warning for 19 counties from 2am to 10am on Monday, while there is a Yellow wind and rain warning across the country from midnight until 3pm tomorrow.
Schools in counties with Red or Orange warnings have been told to stay closed until 10am tomorrow to allow emergency services to clear up debris.
It is up to individual school management teams if they open after 10am.
This is the first Status Red weather warning inland since Storm Eunice in February 2022, issued for Cork and Kerry.
The National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) is due to meet this afternoon in preparation for the arrival of Storm Debi.
'Very impactful'
Met Éireann meteorologist Liz Walsh previously told Newstalk most damage will happen overnight, but there are Red weather risks for many in the morning.
“We could be looking at some very strong wings for the Monday morning rush hour and school drop off,” she said.
“We're in a situation where we think this has the potential to be very impactful.”
The UK Met Office has also issued a Yellow warning for Northern Ireland from 3am until 2pm tomorrow.
It warned people to be aware that homes and businesses could be flooded and there could be disruptions and cancellations to bus, rail, and air travel.
