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National Emergency Co-ordination Group to meet ahead of Storm Debi

National Emergency Co-ordination Group to meet ahead of Storm Debi
Photo: PA Images

Muireann Duffy

Updated: 2.15pm

Strong winds and heavy rain will hit much of the country from Sunday night as Met Éireann issued a series of alerts ahead of the arrival of Storm Debi.

In preparation for the storm's arrival, the National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) is due to meet on Sunday afternoon.

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An orange wind warning will take effect for 18 counties overnight, lasting from 2am to 10am on Monday.

The warning will include Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Cavan, Monaghan, Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Galway.

Met Éireann warned conditions will be stormy on Sunday night and Monday as Storm Debi brings "severe and damaging gusts".

Strong winds may cause damage to power lines and exposed and vulnerable structures, Met Éireann said, adding that travel conditions may be dangerous and services may be disrupted.

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A status red warning has also been put in place for parts of the west coast, from Valentia to Loop Head to Slyne Head, beginning at 2am and remaining in place until 5am on Monday as "westerly winds will reach violent storm force 11 for a time".

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Two orange marine warnings will also be in place for Mizen Head to Valentia to Slyne Head, and Belfast Lough to Carlingford Lough to Wicklow Head and on the Irish Sea.

Back on land, a separate status yellow alert for wind and rain will also cover the whole country from midnight to 3pm on Monday, bringing a chance of "embedded thunderstorms and hail".

The UK Met Office has issued a similar warning for Northern Ireland, predicting strong winds and heavy rain from 3am to 2pm on Monday.

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