Storm Barraest arrived in Ireland this morning and has already caused widespread flooding across the country. Described as a real “weather bomb” by the local weather services, this low-pressure area placed certain Irish regions under red and orange vigilance. County Kerry and County Cork are likely to be the hardest-hit areas: they will bear the full brunt of the storm and endure a few difficult hours of high winds, flooding and potential snowfall.
Storm Barra has been battering southern Ireland since Tuesday morning, December 7. And it has to be said: she shows impressive strength! The worst-hit regions (Cork and Kerry) were hit by winds of up to 160km/h. Waves reaching several metres in height were also recorded.
The storm is expected to last two days, also affecting other counties (Clare, Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Mayo and Wexford) which have also been placed under orange alert.
In these counties, winds will reach average speeds of 65 to 80 km/h with severe or damaging gusts of 100 to 130 km/h.
Coastal flooding is also expected, with a high risk of submersion waves and disruption to electricity supplies and travel.
According to Ireland’s Met Eireann weather service, the storm poses a real risk to the population, as well as an increased risk of flooding and snowfall over the next 48 hours.
Met Eireann representative Evelyn Cusack made no secret of her concerns about Storm Barra:
Local authorities and emergency services are preparing for the dangers caused by “a major and severe weather event It’s going to be a very bad morning everywhere”.
In fact, Met Eireann, along with the Irish Coastguard, police and local road safety authorities, urged the public to exercise caution. In particular, they advised :
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