‘Danger to life’: Red weather warning issued as Storm Debi poised to lash Britain and Ireland
‘Danger to life’: Red weather warning issued as Storm Debi poised to lash Britain and Ireland
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A red “danger to life” warning has been issued as Storm Debi is poised to lash Britain and Ireland.
Two weather warnings were issued for a period overnight in Ireland with power outages and falling trees expected.
Red warnings are the highest-level warning forecasters can give.
Met Eireann, who forecast for the Republic of Ireland, warning Storm Debi will bring extreme winds and during this time there will be “potential danger to life”.
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The red warnings have been issued for Clare, East Galway and South Roscommon will be in place from 3am until 5am while a separate red wind warning for Offaly and Westmeath will be in place from 5am to 7am.
Other Orange and Yellow warnings will be in place for the rest of Ireland until 3pm tomorrow.
Met Éireann Meteorologist Rebecca Cantwell warned one of the red warnings will come into effect during the rush hour period.
She told RTÉ: “As Storm Debi tracks across the county it's going to come into the southwest in the early hours of the night but as that tracks across the country it’ll reach the midlands and eastern half of the country during the morning when more people are out and about.
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The whole of Ireland has red, orange or yellow warnings
Met Eireann
“Within the red warning we are expecting very damaging gusts. There is a risk to life. There is going to be significant power outages, the possibility of fallen trees, branches, and very difficult traveling conditions.
“The second red warning is going to come into effect at the time of rush hour, in the morning between 5am and 7am when people start getting on the roads so there’s going to be dangerous conditions.
“Head the advice of local authorities, they’re well briefed on the weather situation and will have the best advice for people.
“Avoid going out if possible, but if it is necessary take the necessary precautions.”
The Met Office has also warned Storm Debi will affect parts of Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Northern England
Met Office
The Met Office has also warned Storm Debi will affect parts of Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Northern England.
In a statement, the Met Office warned: “Storm Debi is expected to develop over Ireland on Sunday night and clear eastward during Monday.
“An area of heavy rain is expected to affect all of the warning area during the morning although there is some uncertainty on the duration of rainfall.
“Some places may see 30-40 mm of rain in around 6 hours.
“Strong winds are also possible, particularly in the south and east.”
The national forecaster added: “There is a chance of very strong westerly winds developing along Irish Sea coasts of Wales and northwest England on Monday morning before extending inland during day, slowly easing later.
“There is a chance of 60-65 mph gusts developing inland and 70-80 mph around coasts, and over some higher ground, such as the Pennines.”