Storm Austen in Longford: authorities 'activates severe weather assessment team'

Longford County Council has activated a “severe weather assessment teams” in advance of Storm Austen.

Representatives from Longford County Council attended national meetings this week to prepare for the storm and further potentially severe weather over the bank holiday weekend.

The meetings brought together local authorities, Met Éireann, Government departments, State agencies and utility providers in a bid to coordinate their response.

The meeting allowed Met Éireann to update the various organisations on Storm Austen, which is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds across the country tonight into tomorrow.

While the midlands will not face the brunt of the bad weather, wind speeds are expected to be high here.

Areas facing the biggest impact are the southern and eastern areas of the country.

The yellow rain and wind warning for Leinster and Munster will be in effect from 7pm this evening until 10am tomorrow morning.

Leinster and Munster will endure the heaviest rainfall with some flooding expected.

Potential impacts include difficult travelling conditions, localised flooding possible in Yellow warning areas, displaced debris and loose objects, some fallen trees and branches, and disruption and delays to public transport.

Longford County Council’s out-of-hours emergency phone line is 1800 211 525.

Funded by the local democracy reporting scheme