Flood precautions being put in place as Storm Brendan set to hit Galway

Galway City Council has begun rolling out flood prevention measures ahead of Storm Brendan, which is set to hit Ireland on Monday.

A Status Orange wind warning is in place for Galway from 7am to midnight on Monday, with southerly winds veering southwesterly reaching mean speeds of 65 to 80km/h and gusts of 110 to 130km/h, highest in coastal areas.

“There is a significant risk of coastal flooding due to the combination of high spring tides and storm surge,” Met Éireann has warned.

Meanwhile, the City Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team has met and ordered the closure of the public carparks on Salthill Promemade and Toft Park from 2pm today. The Seapoint Promenade from the roundabout to Grattan will close to traffic at 7pm.

“The combination of high spring tides, a storm surge & the strong winds which could gust up to 130 km/h will lead to over-topping and potential flooding along shorelines.
“City Council crews are reinforcing the flood barrier at Fishmarket and the Spanish Arch.
“The Promenade in Salthill will close from 7pm between Seapoint and Grattan Road and the carparks at Toft Park and along the Prom will close from 2pm today (Sunday)
“The Severe Weather Assessment Team will continue to monitor the situation and will put further measures in place as necessary on Sunday and throughout Monday,” a Council statement reads.

Met Éireann has also issued a Status Red Gale Marine Warning. “Strong gale force to storm force southerly winds will develop tomorrow morning on all Irish coastal waters and on the Irish sea, reaching violent storm force at times in the West.”