Galway City Council puts plan in place for Storm Lorenzo

This is the latest weather advisory from Galway City Council:

As per Met Éireann’s latest storm advice, the effects of Storm Lorenzo will begin to be felt across Ireland from Thursday morning leading into Friday morning. The main impacts will include disruptive winds, falling trees and flooding.  High tide in Galway Bay will be at 9.15pm Thursday.

In early October, trees are mostly in full leaf with a large surface area, so even moderate strength winds can bring down weakened trees and/or tree limbs. In addition, some trees may be compromised due to saturated soils at the moment, and with more rain forecast with Storm Lorenzo some disruption due to falling trees/branches is likely. Heavy rain, coupled with falling leaves may block drains and gullies, leading to surface flooding.

Storm Lorenzo will produce significant swell, high waves and sizeable storm surges. This will lead to wave overtopping, some coastal flooding and damage, especially along western and southern coasts.

Following ongoing meetings of Galway City Council’s Crisis Management Team today, based on the latest information available, a number of precautionary measures have been put in place.

Road Closures: Both Salthill, and the Seapoint Promenade (from Grattan Road to Blackrock) will be closed  from 5.00pm Thursday for the duration of the warning.  There may be further closures throughout the city as required and the situation will be closely monitored and regular updates given.  Motorists will experience delays as a result.

Car Park Closures: Both Seapoint and Toft Park car parks will be closed from 1.00pm Thursday and all vehicle owners are urged to move their vehicles. A tow truck will be on hand to remove any vehicles still present once the warning comes into force. Parking should be avoided along the promenade.

Sandbag Arrangements: Sandbag filling facilities will be available at the following three locations from 6.00pm Wednesday:

-Claddagh Hall

-The entrance to Mutton Island Treatment Centre

– The former Tourist Office adjacent to the Aquariam in Salthill

A flood barrier has been erected at Spanish Arch

Please note that anyone who avails of sandbags should retain them in their possession for use throughout the upcoming winter season.

Arrangements for Rough Sleepers:  Galway City Council is working with emergency service providers to ensure that emergency accommodation is provided at locations including Fairgreen & Osterley Lodge. The COPE Galway Day Centre will remain open all day Thursday and operate throughout the night.  Their contact number is 086 8355063

Customer Services: Galway City Council Customer Services phone lines will be operational throughout Thursday night to deal with emergency calls. (091) 536400

Business owners and homeowners are advised to check their own drains and secure any loose objects within their property in advance of the warning taking effect.

Galway City Council advises remaining indoors during the period of the warning. If absolutely essential to travel, please exercise extreme caution out & about especially on coastal roads and exposed shores

Staff will be on standby for clean-up following the passing of Storm Lorenzo and the associated warning once it has been deemed safe to do so.  Please note the associated clean-up which will commence on Friday morning will impact on traffic.

The Crisis Management Team will continue to monitor Storm Lorenzo as it evolves and take all necessary precautions and provide further updates on its website www.galwaycity.ie and its social media platforms.

The National Emergency Co-ordination Group will hold another meeting at 10.30am Thursday and the situation in the city will be reviewed following on from this.