Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue has urged farmers, fishers and people in rural areas to be extra vigilant and take precautions as Storm Barra approaches the country on Tuesday 7 December.
On Monday (6 December), Met Éireann upgraded its previous Status Orange weather warning for Western coastal counties to Status Red for Cork, Kerry and Clare, with gusts of up to 130km/h predicted. The Orange warning has been extended to all Eastern coastal counties as far north as Louth.
In addition, the Status Orange marine warning as been upgraded to Red, with southwesterly winds veering west to northwest expected to increase to Violent Storm Force 11 on Irish coastal waters from Dungarvan to Valentia to Erris Head.
While the exact impact of the storm is yet to be determined, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine says it is “important that sensible steps are taken in advance rather than when it arrives”.
Minister McConalogue said: “I am urging everyone to think safety first as we face into Storm Barra. This is set to be one of the strongest storms we have seen in some time. All life is precious, so we must take all steps to protect ourselves and each other.
“Farming and fishing are exposed more than most to such storms. The fishing fleet is particularly impacted as the force of the storm will be felt most along the Western coastline.
“Fishers should take particular care, heed all weather warnings and ensure vessels are securely berthed in advance of the storm. More generally people should stay back from the shoreline and remain on high ground.”
The department’s public offices in Status Red areas will be closed. For the latest information on areas affected, check the Met Éireann website.
