DONEGAL County Council has urged the public to exercise extreme caution today with “near gale force to gale force winds” forecasted to hit the county this afternoon.

The council say the county is likely to bear the brunt of Storm Amy as it sweeps across the Irish coast on Friday.

Torrential rainfall alongside the strong winds is expected over the next few days. 

With extremely strong winds forecasted, there is a warning of potential power outages.

Heavy rain has been falling this morning in different parts of the county and there are reports of surface water and flooding on a number of roads across Donegal.

Donegal County Council have pre-deployed sandbags in a number of high risk areas and further sandbags are ready to be deployed if required. 

The uprooted tree at O’Donnell Park in Letterkenny – the remnants of Storm Isha in January 2024.

Roads Service, Fire Service and Civil Defence crews are at a heightened state of readiness in the event of local responses being required during this storm event.

Donegal County Council urges everyone to heed all necessary alerts and be aware of the following key public messaging as Storm Amy progresses;

• Orange warnings; the public are advised in those orange areas, to limit travel to essential journeys and shelter in place as much as possible. Essential services operators will continue to operate subject to advice from Met Éireann on prevailing local conditions.
• If travel is necessary, take additional care when driving and lookout for pedestrians and cyclists
• The forecasted winds have the capacity to bring severe, destructive and damaging gusts, be aware of the dangers of fallen trees and power lines.
• High seas; the public are advised to stay away from coastal areas during this period. The Irish Coast Guard are appealing to people to “Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry”.
• There is a potential for wave overtopping and tidal flooding in low-lying, exposed Atlantic coastal areas. In addition to this, the Storm Amy may also bring localised heavy showers, which in turn may lead to localised surface flooding, which may prevail into Saturday.
• The Electricity network may be impacted, the public are advised to prepare for the arrival of the storm including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication.
• Monitor Met Éireann forecasts and/or visit https://www.met.ie/ for the most up to date information. Information is also available across the Met Éireann App,  social media platforms (@meteireann) and other news media sources.
• 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 www.PowerCheck.ie.  In regards 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 our free text alert system to get regular updates about their local supplies – see www.water.ie.” 

Donegal County Council can be contacted during normal business hours on 074 91 53900 and in the event of an out-of-hours emergency the Council’s Road Service/Housing Department can be contacted on 074 91 72288. For emergencies requiring the assistance of the Fire Service call 999 or 112.

You can keep up to date on conditions in your area by signing up for free alerts to your phone by registering at www.mapalerter.ie or by following Donegal County Council on Facebook or on X (Twitter) @DonegalCouncil.