Cork County Council's Severe Weather Assessment Team convened this afternoon in advance of a Status Red Rain Warning for Cork. Met Éireann has issued the highest-level warning for Cork which comes into effect at midnight tonight and remains in place until 10am tomorrow morning.
Storm Bert is forecast to bring intense falls of rain over a short period of time overnight with the highest accumulations in West Cork. Met Éireann has advised that the possible impacts include severe flooding; damage to homes and businesses; and treacherous travelling conditions.
Members of the public are being advised to shelter in place throughout the warning and not to travel.
FLOOD BARRIERS UP
Cork County Council will have staff monitoring the situation in vulnerable areas such as Bantry and Midleton throughout the night.
Cork County Council crews have inspected key high-risk areas. Pumping arrangements are in place in known problem locations. Sandbags are available at priority locations. Flood barriers have been installed in Mallow and Fermoy as a precaution.
REPORTING
Issues such as flooding and road damage can be reported over the course of the weekend to the Council's Emergency Out of Hours number (021) 4800048.
In the event of an emergency call999 or 112 and request the Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Garda or Irish Coastguard as appropriate. Do not assume others will do this.
Weather updates are available at www.met.ie. Cork County Council will continue to provide updates on www.corkcoco.ie and across the Council's social media channels @Corkcoco.