Updated -27.12.23. @17.22 Road Safety Weather Alert – Orange and Yellow Weather Warnings for Storm Gerrit

Updated 27.12.23. @17.22 The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads today 26 December and tomorrow 27 December as Met Éireann have issued Orange and Yellow Weather Warnings for Storm Gerrit. It will turn wet and windy this evening in Munster, slowly extending to remaining areas during the evening and early in the night. Some surface water flooding is possible. Wet and very windy tonight with outbreaks of rain, heavy at times. Some surface water flooding is likely.

There are Orange Wind Warnings for Clare, Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Wexford from 5pm Wednesday to 12am Thursday where there will be strong and very gusty westerly winds will reach storm or near storm force for a time this evening. Power outages and severe disruption is likely and dangerous travelling conditions while coastal flooding is likely

There is a Yellow Wind and Rain Warning for Ireland where there may be heavy rain overnight (Tuesday), followed by heavy showers tomorrow (Wednesday) which may lead to localised flooding. Strong southerly winds overnight, veering southwesterly tomorrow, in conjunction with spring tides, may lead to coastal flooding.

Road users in areas affected by the Orange Warning are advised to check local traffic and weather conditions before setting out on a journey.

The following advice is being given to road users on foot of the weather warnings. Motorists:

• Drivers need to slow down and allow a greater braking distance between themselves and the vehicle in front in wet weather conditions. This is especially important on high-speed roads such as dual carriageways and motorways where there is increased danger of aquaplaning.
• Take special care when driving behind goods vehicles, as they generate a considerable amount of spray, which reduces your visibility. Hold back to where you can see their mirrors.
• If the road ahead is flooded, choose another route. Do not attempt to drive through it. Flooded roads that appear shallow could be deeper than you think. The verge may have subsided and there may also be trees or branches that have fallen that may not be visible.
• Road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic that have been put there by the local council or An Garda Síochána.
• After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance - this helps to dry the brakes.
• Be Safe. Be Seen. Drive with dipped headlights at all times to ensure that you are visible and that you can see other road users.
• Beware of objects being blown out onto the road. Expect the unexpected.
• Watch out for falling / fallen debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road.
• Control of a vehicle may be affected by strong cross winds. High-sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds
• Drivers should allow extra space between themselves and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists as they may be blown off course by strong winds.
• Drive with dipped headlights at all times.

Advice to Pedestrians, Cyclists, and motorcyclists:

• Walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.
• People who cycle should ensure that they and their bike are visible to other road users by investing in a good set of front and rear lights (white at the front, red at the back) and by wearing clothes that help you be seen on your bike. Consider wearing high visibility material.
• Take extra care when crossing the road or cycling in extremely windy conditions, as a sudden gust of wind could blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
• Be Safe. Be Seen. Visibility and light are reduced in poor weather conditions. Keep safe by making sure you can be seen. Wear bright clothing and consider wearing high visibility material.

For advice on severe weather driving tips, please see severe weather advice on the RSA website or check out the RSA Facebook and Twitter pages.

Please also see our severe weather warning videos created in collaboration with Teresa Mannion here

See advice for driving on flooded roads here and some advice on driving in strong winds here

For more weather updates, visit Met Eireann’s website: www.met.ie