*Update at 4.30pm, Thursday October 3
Mayo County Council issued the following update
"The orange warning for Storm Lorenzo issued by Met Eireann for six counties including Mayo will take effect from 6pm this evening and remain in place until 6am Friday morning.
"Mayo County Council would like to inform the public of the possibility of road closures during this evening’s Status Orange Wind Warning and urge caution if travelling.
"Several ‘at risk’ roads, including parts of the N59 as well as the R313 between Belmullet and Blacksod could be closed for periods this evening. Any road closures will be published on Mayo County Council social media channels and through the local media as they are agreed.
"Mayo County Council issued a level three alert at 9am this morning. This means that the flood emergency plan has come into operation and arrangements are in place in areas of the County that may be at higher risk.
"We would urge the public to continue to remain vigilant as they go about their routines. Should you need to travel, extreme care should be exercised mindful of the conditions. Please be aware of fallen trees, branches, electricity wires, debris on the roads and walk-ways and flooding in certain areas.
"Coastal areas continue to pose a high risk from wind and high seas. Please exercise extreme caution in these areas.
"In the event of Flash flooding and/or fallen trees, we will endeavour to address the matter as soon as is possible mindful of the safety of our Staff. Out of hours arrangements are in place in each of the Municipal Districts this evening by calling the following numbers:
Belmullet 097 81004
Westport 098 50400
Ballina 096 76100
Ballinrobe 094 954 1029
Castlebar 094 906 4000
Claremorris 094 937 2310
We would also call on the public to ensure any loose objects such as ladders or garden furniture outside the home are secured and vehicles parked clear of potential falling debris. Advice to builder contractors is to secure all materials on sites and road contractors to secure signage.
Head of Communications at Mayo County Council, Martina Hughes outlined “We would like to assure the public that Mayo County Council will continue to update you with further information as appropriate over next 24 hours and would request the co-operation of the Public until such time as the storm has passed
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Mayo braced itself today for the possible impact of Storm Lorenzo on the county
This morning (Thursday ) Mayo County Council issued a level three alert - bringing the flood emergency plan in to operation as it put arrangements in place in areas of the county subject to higher risk of flooding.
The level three alert was put in place following the issuing of Met Eireann's Status Orange wind warning and Status Yellow rainfall warning, and will remai in place until 9am tomorrow morning, Friday October 4.
With a yellow and orange warning in place the entire county was on flood watch, but coastal areas were at the highest risk from coastal flooding and storm damage, heavy rainfall was forecast to fall over the 24 hour period of the warning and with elevated water levels and ground saturation following recent high rainfall, the risk of flooding was deemed likely by Mayo County Council, whose council crews are set tol be deployed to areas where assistance is needed.
In a statement the local authority said: "We are urging the general public to be careful as they go about their daily routines. Should you need to travel, extreme care should be exercised, mindful of the conditions. Please be aware of the potential of fallen trees, branches, electricity wires, debris on the roads and walk-ways and flooding in certain areas.
"In the event of flash flooding and/or fallen trees, we will endeavour to address the matter as soon as is possible, mindful of the safety of our Staff. A list of any roads/areas where fallen trees are reported will be published online and on social media channels. Coastal areas pose a very high risk currently from wind and high seas. Please exercise extreme caution in these areas.
"We would like to assure the public that Mayo County Council will update you with further information as appropriate and would request the co-operation of the Public until such time as the storm has passed."
The weather warning also saw Aer Lingus's services to and from Ireland West Airport to Gatwick this evening cancelled due to the storm warning.
