Mayo areas most at risk of flooding being closely monitored

THE director of environmental services at Mayo County Council has identified the areas most at most risk from flooding in the county due to the combination of Storm Lorenzo and high tides.

Martin Keating confirmed his staff are closly monitoring the situation in Achill, Belmullet, Westport Newport and Crossmolina as they are locations at greatest risk.

He told Midwest Radio: “We are keeping a close eye on these areas, parrticularly in relation to the threat of flooding."

The National Emergency Co-ordination Group has reiterated serious concern about the impact of Storm Lorenzo, particularly in coastal areas along the west and southwest coast.

The storm is beginning to bear down on the south and southwest coast.

The Orange weather warning for five western counties - Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Galway and Mayo - has been extended until tomorrow morning at 6 am from 3 a.m. previously.

There are also two Yellow wind warnings and a rain warning in effect elsewhere.

Met Éreann has reported that its M3 Atlantic Buoy has risen from three metres to eight metres indicating waves higher than a two-storey house in the Atlantic although how that will translate into conditions on the coast will depend on local coastal topography along the west coast.

The risk of thunder and lightning has reduced as the storm approaches.

The advice from the emergency coordination group is still for people to stay away from the coast for the duration of the storm which is now expected to pass quickly and have dissipated by tomorrow morning.

Met. Èireann has also stated that due to the fact trees are still full of leaves in early October, they are more vulnerable to even moderate storm winds.

Gardaí have asked drivers to slow down and for drivers of high-sided vehicles and overnight couriers to take particular care.