Warning as hurricane heads for our shores
Sandbags at Clontarf placed in anticipation of the Hurricane force winds that are predicted for the weekend. Photo: Colin O'Riordan
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MOTORISTS and homeowners have been warned of a risk of flooding this weekend as the remnants of Hurricane Thomas head for the Irish coastline.
Forecasters are predicting high tides and winds of up to 100kmh, which could lead to flooding in Dublin, Galway and coastal areas.
Dublin City Council yesterday said that car parks at Clontarf and Sandymount would be closed on Sunday and Monday as a precaution.
Roads may also be closed over the weekend and the council has started deploying temporary flood defences across the city.
Concerns
"There are concerns these high winds coupled with high tides could lead to flooding," said a Met Eireann spokesman. "Although the hurricane will be significantly weaker by the time it hits us, we are predicting winds of up to 100kmh and very high waves which always set alarm bells ringing."
Meanwhile, fallen leaves caused delays for commuters in Dublin yesterday as trains were forced to travel at lower speeds to reduce the risk of wheel slip.
Iarnrod Eireann said that poor rail conditions were a feature of this time a year, and over the last couple of weeks they had been putting a type of abrasive grit called Sandite on rails throughout the country to reduce danger. Most delays had been around 10 minutes.
- Edel O'Connell and Paul Melia
Irish Independent
