LIVE: Cork escapes Storm Lorenzo though seas remain rough

Updated: 13:14

Met Eireann’s Yellow Wind Alert was lifted from Cork County yesterday evening with Cork County spared much of the impact of Storm Lorenzo.

Cork County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team convened this morning and can confirm that there were no emergency calls made overnight. 4 calls were received regarding debris, and fallen trees and branches yesterday between 5.00pm and 7.00pm from North West & West Cork.

The Council anticipates a number of calls this morning once normal daytime traffic resumes. Cork County Council continues to ask drivers to exercise caution as there will be debris, loose branches and fallen trees on all roads.

High tide passed in all coastal towns last evening and this morning without any flooding.

There was a power outage in Charleville overnight with approx 1,100 houses affected. Most houses have power restored at this stage.

Updated 9:23am Friday:

Cork county has escaped the worst of Storm Lorenzo, without even one power outage reported outside of North Cork on the ESB's powercheck map of outages this morning. There were also no reports of any significant flooding.

While there are still strong gusts on higher ground, the eye of the storm moved along the west coast last night and is currently off the Donegal coast, but the strength has decreased significantly.

(map: courtesy nullschool.net)

The seas are still rough, however, as this video from Bantry harbour this morning, shows:

Updated 3:10pm Thursday:

Flooding near the bridge in Ballydehob today as seen in this photo by Andy Gibson:

Updated 3pm:

• ESB Networks will advise customers of estimated times for the restoration of power in affected areas from tomorrow, Friday 04 October. This information can be accessed via the powercheck app and on 1850 372 999. Also check powercheck.ie for power outages in your area or information on how to report an outage.

• Irish Water have advised that any loss of supply should be reported to their customer care centre number 1850 278 278.

Updated 2:56pm

The OPW says the Glengarriff Nature Reserve will be closed this afternoon, from 4pm, and will remain closed until further notice. It added: 'It wishes to advise members of the public not to visit any National Parks, National Monuments or Nature Reserves whilst the Status Orange is in place.'

Updated 12:44

Reports of trees down on the Skibbereen and Baltimore road and also at Glencurragh Avenue in Skibbereen. Also tree down between Argideen and Kilbrittain. Drive with caution

@CorkSafetyAlert tree down between Skibb and Baltimore after oldcourt on the Baltimore side pic.twitter.com/pC2zmYW4DZ

— Anne Marie O' Mahony (@annem82) October 3, 2019

Updated 11:40

Cork County Council’s severe weather assessment team convened again this morning in relation to this weather event.  There have been no reports of coastal flooding following this morning’s high tide.

Cork County Council expect the main impacts from Storm Lorenzo to include disruptions caused by fallen trees from high winds and surface flooding resulting from heavy rain on saturated soils combined with falling leaves blocking drains and gullies. In coastal areas Storm Lorenzo will produce significant swell, high waves and sizeable storm surges. This will lead to wave overtopping, some coastal flooding and damage.

Cork County Council response crews and contractors remain on standby.

Cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians are asked to be aware of the danger posed by high winds as well as drivers of high sided vehicles. Driving conditions will be hazardous and all motorists need to take care and be conscious of cyclists and pedestrians.

Dursey Cable Car will not operate today, October 3rd and tomorrow October 4th.  It will re-open subject to inspection on Saturday October 5th.

Motorists are advised to report issues such as fallen trees and road damage to their local Council office during working hours or to call the emergency number (021) 4800048.

The strong winds may give rise to localised power outages. In the event of disruption to power supply, please contact ESB Networks at 1850372999.

In the event of disruption to water supply, please contact Irish Water at 1850 278278. Cork County Council will continue to monitor this situation.  

Updates will be provided on Cork County Council’s website www.corkcoco.ie and also on our social media channels @Corkcoco

Updated 10:23

ESB Network have reported a fault in the Clonakilty area. They are working to restore power and have apologised for any inconvenience. Check powercheck.ie for more updates.

Updated 09:04

The wind warning for County Cork has been downgraded from Orange to Yellow as per Cork County Council.

Updated 19:08

The Mizen Head visitor centre is closing all day tomorrow, Thursday, but no decision made yet re Friday:

Updated 18:06

This handy map from windy.com allows you to click on your area to track predicted wind speeds for Thursday and Friday:

Updated 18:00 Wednesday

Image from Marinetraffic.com shows ships avoiding a large area of the mid-Atlantic where Storm Lorenzo is currently raging:

Updated: 16:30

Cork County Council have issued the following statement in relation to prepartions for Storm Lorenzo:

Cork County Council is prepared with response crews on standby for the approaching Storm Lorenzo.

Met Éireann has issued a Level Orange Weather Warning (Storm Lorenzo – Wind Warning) for County Cork from 18.01 tomorrow Thursday October 3rd to 03.00 on Friday 4th.   In addition a Yellow wind warning is in place for Cork County from 09.00 on Thursday 3rd of October to 06.00 on Friday 4th of October. The entire Cork County area is subject to this Level Orange wind warning.

Cork County Council's Crisis Management Team and Severe Weather Assessment Team have both convened in response to this weather warning and reviewed preparations. Council response crews and contractors have been put on notice and are on standby.

A high tide advisory and a storm surge is expected Thursday morning with a risk for high onshore wave activity.  All coastal areas including Bantry, Castletownbere, Schull, Castletownend, Union Hall, Leap, Baltimore, Kinsale, Carrigaline and Midlteton are liable to coastal flooding.  People living near coastal, cliff and waterway areas are asked to be extra cautious considering the forecasted winds which can lead to wave surges. Cork County Council also asks mariners to check moorings and vessels etc. today before the weather worsens.

Cork County Council expects the main impact from Storm Lorenzo to include fallen trees from high winds and surface flooding resulting from heavy rain on saturated soils combined with falling leaves blocking drains and gullies.

Cork County Council advises road users to be aware of the danger posed by high winds. Driving conditions will be hazardous with surface flooding likely and motorists are reminded to take additional care and be conscious of cyclists and pedestrians.

Motorists are advised to report issues such as fallen trees and road damage to their local Council office during working hours or to call the emergency number (021) 4800048.

The strong winds may give rise to localised power outages. In the event of disruption to power supply, please contact ESB Networks at 1850372999.

In the event of disruption to water supply, please contact Irish Water at 1850 278278.

Cork County Council will continue to monitor this situation.  Updates will be provided on Cork County Council’s website www.corkcoco.ie and also on our social media channels.

Updated: 14:22

Cork County Council have started to take precautions ahead of Storm Lorenzo reaching the coast announcing that in the interests of safety, the Dursey Cable Car will be closed to the public on Thursday, October 3rd and Friday, October 4th.

The cable car is scheduled to reopen on Saturday, October 5th, 2019 subject to inspection.

Events locally have also been affected with the Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre announcing on Facebook that: 'Due to Met Eireann's Status Orange Weather warning for evening of Thursday 3 October, we have taken the decision to cancel all programming after 6pm to ensure the safety of all participants and staff, this includes SKIBBEREEN COMMUNITY CHOIR'.

Updated: 10.24

Cork has been issued with an orange weather warning by Met Éireann for Storm Lorenzo.

Despite earlier comments that Cork might be excluded from the orange warning for #Lorenzo the update from Met.ie this morning has included Cork as one of the six counties that may be affected by very strong winds on Thursday night/Friday morning.

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This story was originally published Monday at 5pm

On Thursday Hurricane Lorenzo (currently predicted to be a ex tropical storm at this stage) is likely to be in the vicinity.

It's exact track and central pressure is still very uncertain as is the timing. It is most likely to track northwards and stay to west of Ireland.

Some wet and windy weather is expected but nothing exceptional at this stage. It will become mild over the country due to the influence of the tropical origin air.

The risk of severe weather continues and the progress of Lorenzo and any potential impacts for Ireland are being closely monitored by Met Eireann.