Kildare County Council issues safety message for Storm Bram

Members of the Kildare County Council Severe Weather Assessment Team attended a Met Eireann briefing this morning ahead of the arrival of Storm Bram.

The weather warning in place for Co. Kildare is currently a yellow wind warning extending from 03:00 on Tuesday 09/12/20205 to 21:00 Tuesday 09/12/2025.

Met Eireann has advised that Storm Bram is a multi-hazard event bringing elevated flood risk and high winds.

Public Safety

Strong winds can make driving conditions hazardous, especially for more vulnerable road users, including cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists and high sided vehicles. Road users should pay particular attention to the risk posed by fallen trees and flying debris. Commuters are advised to allow for disruption during the morning commute on Tuesday December 9, plan extra travel time and reduce speed. 

After a week of persistent rain, many rivers are approaching bank full conditions and soils are waterlogged increasing runoff. Any additional rainfall is likely to result in river flooding.

A period of high astronomical tides will coincide with high storm surge and onshore winds increasing coastal flood risk. Coastal flooding is likely, particularly during high tide times and in exposed low-lying areas.

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High tides will prevent river water from discharging to the sea, causing water to back up within the channel and significantly increasing the risk of upstream flooding along low-lying areas.

The public is advised to stay away from swollen rivers, streams and flooded riverbanks – banks can collapse without warning, water levels and currents may be far stronger than usual.

• Do not drive through floodwater – turn back and use another route.

• Coastal areas may also experience wave overtopping, storm surge, and tidal flooding, especially in low-lying locations. Keep away from coastal edges, harbours, piers and low-lying promenades during high tide. The Irish Coast Guard advice remains: “Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry.”

• People are advised to prepare for the arrival of the storm including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication.

• 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. ESB Emergency Services can be contacted at 1800 372 999. The public can monitor ESB Networks | Power Check | Service Interruptions Map with regard to power restoration times.

• Uisce Éireann customers can check the website and social media channels for updates and to get in touch with any issues or concerns via their 24/7 customer care centre at 1800 278 278. The public can also sign up online to their free text alert system to get regular updates about their local supplies - see www.water.ie

 The public is advised to monitor Met Éireann forecasts and/or visit https://www.met.ie/

for the most up to date information.

Information is also available across Met Éireann social media channels.

Kildare County Council will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.