Business owners and residents in Salthill prepared for the worst this afternoon with high winds and heavy rain expected during Storm Frank.
Sandbags and anti-flood measures were deployed with the help of Civil Defence – the area was badly flooded in the winter storms of December 2013 and January 2014.
Already this evening, gusts at Mace Head hit around 95km/h, and are expected to pick up as the evening progresses.
Meanwhile, Met Éireann is forecasting another storm front coming in from the Atlantic tomorrow morning, with a large sea swell.
That is likely to cause overtopping in coastal area, with a high tide and swell of around 5.6 metres at around 8am, and the Promenade may be closed again.
The current Status Orange wind warning remains in place until 1pm on Wednesday, with winds speeds of up to 80km/h and gusts up to 120km/h expected.
The Status Orange rain warning is in place until midday tomorrow, with up to 70mm expected.
Galway City Council and the Gardaí closed the Promenade in Salthill traffic earlier this afternoon as a precaution. The road closure is from the junction of Grattan Road and Dr Colohan Road, along the Promenade by the Aquarium, along the main Salthill Road from the Darcy Roundabout to the junction with Threadneedle Road at Blackrock.
Local access is available via Dr Mannix Road. Diversions are in place.
Motorists are advised to avoid the Promenade and while the Bus Eireann 401 service will continue to operate, the Prom is only available for local access.
A Council spokesperson said: “On Wednesday morning from 6am onwards, there is a possibility of further stormy weather coinciding with a tidal surge and the high tide shortly after 8am.
“Some over-topping and spray is expected on exposed shores across the city.
“As there may be heavy rain at the time and spot flooding may occur, care is advised for anyone out and about including people returning to work following the Christmas break,” the spokesperson said.
Galway City Council operates an out-of-hours contact number at 091 536400 to provide assistance to the public and emergency services can be contacted on 999/112.
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