Storm Jorge – Coillte Urges Forest Users To Exercise Extreme Caution

Storm Jorge– National Weather Warning; Coillte Urges Forest Users To Exercise Extreme Caution
Friday 24th February: Coillte advises all forest users to stay away from forest lands in Counties Galway and Clare while the Status Red weather warning is in force. Coillte urges all users of forest lands including its staff, contractors and members of the public, to exercise extreme caution if entering forest lands in other areas this weekend as storm Jorge approaches.
Met Éireann has issued the following weather warning;
Status Red - Wind warning for Galway and Clare
Very severe winds associated with Storm Jorge (Hor-hay) on Saturday.
Westerly winds will reach mean speeds of 85 to 100km/h in places on Saturday afternoon with gusts of 130 to 145km/h, with an elevated risk of coastal flooding.
Valid: 13:00 Saturday 29/02/2020 to 16:00 Saturday 29/02/2020
Issued: 16:00 Friday 28/02/2020
Status Orange - Wind warning for Galway, Mayo, Clare, Kerry, Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo
Some severe winds expected during Saturday associated with Storm Jorge (Hor-hay). Southwest quickly veering west and later northwest will reach mean speeds of 65 to 80km/h with gusts of 110 to 130km/h, possibly higher in very exposed areas with an elevated risk of coastal flooding.
Valid: 06:00 Saturday 29/02/2020 to 03:00 Sunday 01/03/2020
Issued: 11:00 Thursday 27/02/2020
Fallen and overhanging trees pose an extremely dangerous risk to the public and Coillte is urging everyone to remain vigilant and to exercise extreme caution if entering forest lands over the coming days. Members of the public should not approach fallen or overhanging trees as they pose a significant health and safety risk and access routes blocked by trees should only ever be cleared by trained experts.
About Coillte
Coillte is a commercial forestry company, owned by the State, that manages approximately 7% of the country’s land. Coillte operate three strong businesses from this land – their core forestry business, a wood panels manufacturing business MEDITE SMARTPLY and a land solutions business. Coillte export to over 30 countries worldwide.
To find out more visit www.coillte.ie