As the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto lash the west coast of Ireland, a weather warning has been issued for Galway and Mayo, with heavy rains and strong winds causing concern along the coastline. High tide has already led to some flooding at the Spanish Arch in Galway, prompting the closure of roads and the implementation of flood defences.

Galway City Council has taken swift action, closing the road from the D’Arcy roundabout at Seapoint to the Galway Business School. Council crews are keeping a close watch on the situation in Salthill, where local businesses have put up flood barriers and sandbags as a precaution. The main Toft carpark remains off-limits, and outdoor seating and bins have been moved indoors to prevent damage.

Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow wind and rain alert for Galway and Mayo, which will remain in effect until 2:30 a.m. The weather service has warned of “unseasonably” strong and gusty southerly winds, along with heavy rainfall, heightening the risk of coastal flooding and wave overtopping. There is also a possibility that temporary structures could be damaged, and travel conditions may become hazardous.

Councillor Níall McNelis has reported that the high tide has mostly passed without significant incident, but he emphasised the importance of public safety, urging people to stay clear of the coast. “This is our first yellow alert of the season. So far, the gale force winds haven’t fully materialised, with gusts peaking at around 55 to 60 kilometres per hour. However, we still advise everyone to stay indoors where possible and avoid unnecessary travel,” he said.

In Mayo, precautionary measures have been taken in Newport and Belmullet, where sandbags have been put in place to protect against any potential tidal surge. A council official noted that no major developments are expected in the coming hours, but the situation remains under close observation.

Although Ernesto will no longer be classified as a hurricane by the time it reaches Ireland, it is expected to bring a spell of unsettled weather over the next few days.

Meanwhile, in Drogheda, motorists have been advised to steer clear of Wellington Quay during high tide this evening, as Louth County Council anticipates flooding in the area due to the high tides and additional storm surge.

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