The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) has advised the public to stay away from coastal areas throughout tomorrow (Sunday, October 20), due to adverse weather conditions during Storm Ashley.

Storm Ashley will bring very strong and gusty south to southwest winds, coupled with high spring tides, which will lead to coastal flooding and large coastal waves.

Met Éireann also warns of loose objects being displaced, fallen trees, very difficult travelling conditions, dangerous conditions at sea, damage to power lines, power outages, and damage to already weakened structures.

The following weather warnings will be in place during Storm Ashley:

A Status Orange wind warning for Clare, Kerry, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo from 10:00a.m until 8:00p.m on Sunday;
A Status Yellow wind warning for Ireland from 12:00a.m on Sunday until 12:00a.m on Monday (October 21);
UK Met Office issued an amber warning for Antrim, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry from 1:00p.m until 8:00p.m on Sunday;
UK Met Office issued a yellow wind warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry from 3:00a.m on Sunday until 12:00a.m on Monday.

The warning followed a meeting this morning (Saturday, October 19), between the NDFEM, Met Éireann and various other stakeholders to review updates in relation to the current weather warnings in place for Storm Ashley. 

The NDFEM said it will continue to liaise with Met Éireann and is monitoring the situation.

The national director of the NDFEM, Keith Leonard said that Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams are continuing to monitor conditions locally.

“The public also have their own part to play. I would absolutely urge everyone to stay away from all coastal areas during this period, and to heed the advice from the Irish Coast Guard to ‘Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry’. 

"As dangerous travelling conditions are also possible, road users should pay particular attention to the risk posed by fallen trees and flying debris," Leonard said.

The NDFEM has issued the following key public safety messages:

Stay away from coastal areas during this period. The Irish Coast Guard is appealing to people to “Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry”;
Dangerous travelling conditions are possible. Road users should pay particular attention to the risk posed by fallen trees and flying debris as trees are in full leaf;
There is a risk of tidal flooding in coastal areas, especially in southern and western counties. In addition to this, heavy persistent showers are expected, which in turn may lead to surface flooding in urban locations;
People are advised to prepare for the arrival of the storm, including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication;
Never drive through flooded roads, the depth of the water can be deceiving;
Monitor Met Éireann forecasts for the most up-to-date information;
ESB Networks is highlighting the dangers posed by fallen live wires and is advising the public and the emergency services to stay away from these fallen cables and to report such cases to it immediately.