🌧️ How to Prepare for Severe Weather in Ireland: Practical Tips for Staying Safe and Informed

Published in The MapAlerter Blog, Nov 13th 2025

When severe weather strikes, preparation makes all the difference. In Ireland, we’re no strangers to heavy rain, strong winds, flooding, or snow and as recent years have shown, these events are becoming more frequent and more intense. Whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or part of a local authority response team, taking a few proactive steps before a storm can protect lives, property, and critical infrastructure. Here’s how you can prepare effectively for severe weather and how MapAlerter can help keep you informed every step of the way.

⚠️Stay Informed with Trusted Alerts

When bad weather is on the way, early awareness is key. Make sure you’re receiving alerts from reliable, official sources:

Sign up for local alerts on Mapalerter get instant notifications about weather warnings, road closures, power outages, and emergency updates for your area.
Follow Met Éireann for the latest weather forecasts and warnings.
Check local authority websites and social media for flood, road, or service updates.

💡 Top Tip: Enable push notifications on your MapAlerter App on your phone so you don’t miss urgent updates.

🏠Protect Your Home or Business

Simple actions can prevent major damage:

Secure outdoor furniture, bins, and equipment that could blow away.
Clear gutters, drains, and gullies to reduce flood risk.
Have sandbags or flood barriers ready if you’re in a flood-prone area.
Check roofs, fences, and windows for weaknesses before storm season.

If you operate a business or community facility, make sure you have an emergency contact list, a backup power source, and a continuity plan for key operations.

Sign Up For Alerts

⛑️Prepare an Emergency Kit

A severe weather emergency kit should include:

Battery-powered torch and spare batteries
Portable phone charger
Basic first aid supplies
Bottled water and non-perishable food
Warm clothing and blankets
Essential medications

Keep it in an accessible location and make sure all family members know where it is.

🚗Travel Safely During Weather Warnings

If you must travel during a storm or weather alert:

Check MapAlerter for local road closures and disruption alerts.
Avoid driving through floodwaters just 30cm of moving water can sweep a car away.
Allow extra time for your journey and reduce speed in poor visibility.
Never ignore “Road Closed” or “Do Not Enter” signs.

👪Support Your Community

In times of severe weather, community cooperation matters. Check in on elderly or vulnerable neighbours, share verified updates, and avoid spreading unconfirmed information on social media. The more connected we are, the safer we all become.

📲How MapAlerter.ie Helps During Severe Weather

MapAlerter brings together local authority alerts and official weather warnings in one simple, location-based service. Receive instant notifications for your area and stay connected to council updates, road closures, flood alerts, and service disruptions. Our mission is simple: to help people across Ireland stay safe and informed during every weather event from minor warnings to major emergencies. Preparedness doesn’t have to be complicated it’s about staying informed, acting early, and supporting your community. By combining personal readiness with trusted tools like MapAlerter, you can reduce risk and respond more confidently to whatever the weather brings.