Longford County Council activates severe weather assessment teams in advance of Storm Austen
Thursday, 22 October 2026
Representatives from Longford County Council have attended meetings this week of the National Severe Weather and Flood Coordination Group bringing together Local Authorities, Met Éireann, relevant Government Departments, State Agencies, and utility providers, in advance of the arrival of Storm Austen and further potentially impactful weather over the bank holiday weekend.
The meeting allowed Met Éireann to update stakeholders on Storm Austen, which is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds across the country, particularly in southern and eastern areas.
Storm Austen is expected to bring high levels of rainfall overnight on Thursday into Friday morning.
Wind speeds will also be high in the south, east and midlands.
Longford County Council has activated its severe weather assessment teams in advance of the storm. Longford County Council along with other stakeholders, are actively preparing for all eventualities and will be ready to respond in any affected areas where needed.
Forecast and Weather warnings
Yellow rain and wind warning for Leinster and Munster: 7pm Thursday – 10am Friday.
Widespread rain associated with Storm Austen will affect much of the country, heaviest in Leinster and Munster with some flooding expected. Isolated thunderstorms will occur too.
Potential impacts:
- Difficult travelling conditions
- Localised flooding possible in Yellow warning areas
- Outdoor events impacted
- Debris, loose objects displaced
- Some fallen trees and branches
- Disruption and delays to public transport
Longford County Council’s Out of Hours Emergency Phone Line is 1800 211 525.
Members of the public can access practical and helpful information on emergency preparedness at gov.ie/BeEmergencyReady.
