An Orange weather warning for Galway has been extended by Met Eireann until 5pm on Friday.
Met Eireann issued the Status Orange warning for Galway on Wednesday evening ahead of Storm Callum which will hit Ireland on Thursday night.
Galway is one of thirteen coastal counties that have been issued with orange warnings ahead of Callum making landfall.
Winds of up to 130km are expected, possibly going even higher in coastal areas.
There will be spells of heavy rainfall and high tides with the possibility of coastal flooding.
In Galway, Mayo, Donegal, Sligo, and Clare, the orange warning will remain in place until 5pm on Friday.
But it will be lifted by 9am in Cork, Kerry, Meath, Louth, Dublin, Waterford, Wicklow, and Wexford.
#StormCallum approaching Ireland. pic.twitter.com/3hY15dUTnB
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) October 11, 2018
The other 13 counties have been issued with a yellow warning which will also end at 9am on Friday.
Galway city council has deployed the aquadam at the Spanish Arch and a number of roads and carparks in the city will be closed from this evening from 8pm.
Lough Atalia rd, Salthill and associated roads from the entrance to Mutton Island to Threadneedle rd, Inbound Slip Lane on the Dublin rd, Eyre Square (Meyrick Hotel), Dock Road, Victoria Place, Queen Street, Salthill & Toft carparks, and Silver Strand will close.
Delighted to have the assistance of @defenceforces to get sandbags ready and in place in advance of #StormCallum . pic.twitter.com/ZZty5Z1p4r
— Galway City Council (@GalwayCityCo) October 11, 2018
The county council is urging motorists to avoid all coastal roads, and to only make essential journeys.
If you are on the roads, be wary, as trees that were weakened by Storm Ali could pose an additional hazard.
The council has distributed sandbags to protect homes at risk of flooding.
250 are available at The Square in Kinvara, and 5,000 are available from the council depot in Tonroe, Clarinbridge.
