MET EIREANN has issued multiple warnings ahead of Hurricane Lorenzo, the latest of which is Status Orange - which applies to six counties on Ireland's west coast - though they admit they could upgrade it to a Status Red warning over the next 24 hours.
The Met has reported that storm surges are likely to cause coastal flooding and damage and has advised residents of the counties of Galway, Mayo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick to prepare heavy weather over the coming days.
The Status Orange warning will be valid from 6pm on Thursday until 3am on Friday, although effects from the storm are likely to be felt into the weekend as well.
Met Eireann said: "Southwesterly winds veering westerly will reach mean speeds 65 to 80km/h with gusts generally of 100 to 130km/h, higher in coastal regions.
"Storm surges will produce coastal flooding and damage."
Meanwhile, the entire country has been issued with a Status Yellow warning, which will be valid from the same time.
Red is the most serious kind of weather warning that the Met Office can issue. It means that it is likely that the weather will cause damage, for example to buildings and roads. People are told to avoid travelling if they can.
Orange warnings are for weather conditions which have the capacity to impact significantly on people in the affected areas and imply that all recipients in the affected areas should prepare themselves in an appropriate way for the anticipated conditions.
Yellow warnings are for weather conditions that do not pose an immediate threat to the general population. They are issued to those at risk because of their location.
In other words, Yellow warnings tell you to 'Be Aware', Orange warnings tell you to 'Be Prepared', and Red warnings tell you to 'Take Action'.
Hurricane Lorenzo recorded wind speeds of higher than 250km/h as recently as Sunday as it was upgraded to a Category 5 storm, and while it's expected to have calmed down by the time it hits the Irish coast, residents are still being advised to prepare themselves for severe winds and high seas.Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy attended an emergency meeting of the NECG on Tuesday night.
