Met Éireann’s latest forecast for Storm Austen has prompted the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to issue an Orange Weather Alert covering Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow from 02:00 to 08:00 on Friday, alongside earlier warnings for Cork, Kerry and Waterford. Published on 21 October, the RSA advisory cautions of intense rain, possible flooding and hazardous cross-winds likely to snarl road, rail and bus services across Ireland. Public-transport operators have begun contingency planning. Iarnród Éireann says speed restrictions may be imposed on coastal rail lines, while Bus Éireann is preparing to reroute certain coastal services if tidal surges inundate low-lying roads. Dublin Airport and Shannon Airport have activated de-icing crews and are liaising with airline operations centres to adjust slot allocations should cross-winds exceed safe landing thresholds. For employers, the practical implication is potential lateness or absence of staff and assignees on Friday morning. Global mobility managers with Friday landings in Dublin are advising travellers to carry overnight essentials in hand luggage in case of diversions to Manchester or Shannon. Where feasible, remote-work policies are being invoked for assignees expected to start client meetings on Friday. The RSA’s guidance to motorists—reduce speed, increase braking distance, and avoid driving through standing water—also carries a corporate liability dimension. Companies are reminded that duty-of-care obligations extend to employees driving rental cars on assignment. While Storm Austen is forecast to clear the east coast by late Friday morning, weather agencies warn that saturated ground could leave parts of the N11 and M50 prone to surface flooding throughout the weekend, complicating airport transfers for departing bank-holiday passengers.
Source: Road Safety Authority
