Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
Kerry is bracing itself for an October drenching with a Status Orange rain warning issued for the county.
It is valid for 24 hours from midnight tonight and it is expected to lead to dangerous travelling conditions and disruption to travel with the risk of river and coastal flooding.
Met Éireann said there will be very heavy and persistent all day on Saturday with highest accumulations in mountainous areas of Kerry.
As a precaution, the GAA in the county has deferred the senior football championship quarter-final tie between St Brendan’s and Kenmare Shamrocks until Sunday.
It will now take place in Beaufort at 2.00pm and extra time and penalties will take place, if required, as there must be a winner on the day.
Both novice championship games planned for Saturday have also been put back for 24 hours.
The Moyvane v Asdee game will take place in Moyvane on Sunday at 12noon and the Valentia v Tuosist game will be played in Valentia the same day, also with a noon throw-in.
Kerry County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team has been meeting regularly to monitor the forecast and has deployed crews to prepare for the adverse conditions.
Gulleys and drains are being cleared and sandbags are being made available in areas which are prone to flooding.
The local authority is appealing to motorists to travel with care on all routes, to slow down and to be prepared for the likelihood of spot flooding and surface water on roads. Exposed coastal areas should be avoided and members of the public should observe the message: Stay back, stay high and stay dry.
The council has advised members of the public to expect spot flooding and a helpline to report issues that arise has been set up on 066-7183588.
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