Yellow weather warning for Cork as flooding may occur

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is advising all road users to take extreme care over the next 48 hours as Met Eireann has issued a YELLOW weather warning for Cork, suggesting incessant rain and strong winds.

There is a STATUS YELLOW Wind Warning for Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford. Valid Friday 04 December 2015 15:00 to Saturday 05 December 2015 21:00

Road users are advised to check local and national weather forecasts and traffic updates before setting out on a journey. In extreme weather conditions it is best to avoid making a journey by road unless absolutely necessary. If driving in such conditions is unavoidable be prepared. The golden rule is drive with care and caution – expect the unexpected.

The RSA has been advised that the combination of saturated ground and heavy winds will increase the risk of falling tress.  As such road users should be on the lookout for falling/fallen debris on the road. Heed any advice or road closures put in place by local authorities or the Gardai.

The RSA also has the following advice for driving in flooded conditions;

• 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.
• After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance - this helps to dry the brakes. Sometimes roads can be closed due to their fragile state after wet weather or because they are blocked by flooding.
• On narrow roads only one car at a time should go through the flooded area so as to avoid one flooding the other.
• Watch out for washed out roads, earth slides, broken water or sewer mains, lose or downed electrical wires, and fallen or falling objects
• If you are inside a vehicle and water is rising rapidly around you, abandon the vehicle immediately. If you have to leave your vehicle, be careful of strong currents and debris.

Motorists are also asked to exercise extreme caution near pedestrians and cyclists. Vulnerable road users are asked to consider postponing any trips in areas experiencing severe weather conditions. Again the advice is to check local traffic and weather updates.