Weather Warnings: A Guide to Staying Safe

Team RedClick
#Safety

08/01/2026

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Weather Warnings: A Guide to Staying Safe

 

Ireland’s climate is famously changeable. While we usually brace ourselves for stormy weather when school starts back in September, the reality is that strong winds, heavy rain and dramatic thunderstorms can hit at any time of the year.

As a trusted home and motor insurance provider in Ireland, the RedClick team has seen all the effects of weather emergencies, from fallen damaged roofs to crashed cars. We also know from our recent poll that many of our customers are anxious about winter hazards, including black ice, poor driver behaviour, and icy roads.

We want to help you feel confident and prepared, so we’ve put together a short guide to keeping you safe and your car and home protected during rough weather. That way, you’ll know what to do the next time you hear the famous line, “don’t make unnecessary journeys,” come through your TV screen.

How to read Irish weather warnings

Met Éireann manages all things weather related in Ireland. One of their main responsibilities is to “protect life and ensure citizen safety,” which it achieves through an advanced weather warning system.  

This warning system is based on detailed analysis of highly complex weather information. Luckily for us, the team then breaks it down into simple, colour-coded labels; 

  • Yellow; not unusual weather. Localised danger.  
  • Orange; Infrequent. Dangerous / disruptive.
  • Red; Rare. Extremely dangerous / destructive.

For a detailed explanation of what each of these warnings mean, download Met Éireann’s “Severe Weather Chart” here.

Source: https://www.met.ie/met-eireann-warning-system-explained 

As you can imagine, yellow is the least serious, not generally posing a threat but potentially dangerous on a localised scale. Status orange is another level up, with weather conditions that endanger people and property.  

Status red indicates “rare and very dangerous weather conditions from intense meteorological phenomena." In the UK, red warnings were put in place for just 19 days during the years 2011 - 2024, which will give you an idea of how unusual they are.

The reality is that any weather disruption comes with increased risk of accidents, injuries, and damage. It’s imperative that you take every warning seriously, making preparations to stay as safe and as secure as possible until the weather passes.

How to safeguard your car during a weather warning

When a weather warning is issued, your first priority should be to minimise travel of any kind. Try to avoid driving unless it’s absolutely essential, as fallen trees, sudden flooding, heavy winds and icy conditions can quickly make roads very hazardous.

The Irish Road Safety Authority offers a booklet of in-depth severe weather advice for road users, but you should also bear in mind these simple steps:

1.  Drive with extra care and caution

If you absolutely have to drive, check online resources and local radio reports for travel updates before you set off. Try to avoid narrow country roads that are prone to flooding or fallen trees. Move slowly, carefully, and purposefully - get your task completed and return to the safety of your home as soon as possible. It is also important to note that you must not attempt to tow a trailer or caravan in any severe weather conditions. This is extremely hazardous as it can destabilise your vehicle leading to snaking or jack-knifing.

2.  Pack a small emergency kit

According to our recent research, just 30% of drivers regularly carry basic winter essentials such as a blanket, torch, scraper, or de-icer. You could need all of these items plus a high visibility vest, basic tools, and a battery powered phone charger in bad weather. So make sure you’re prepared well in advance. It’s also a good idea to add 24hr Breakdown Assistance to your car insurance policy to ensure you have 24/7 assistance. 

3.  Choose your parking place wisely

Strong winds can bring down branches or cause flying debris, even in urban or suburban areas. Where possible, avoid parking near trees, close to old walls, or in coastal areas. Also, low-lying roads and car parks are often the first to flood - look for higher ground or ideally, a closed car park.

4.  Carry out a basic car check

According to our recent research, only one in three drivers (33%) say they check their tyres, battery, or fluids before setting off to drive, which can become a big problem in bad weather. Take a moment to check that your car is safe to drive and remove any bicycle racks or roof boxes that could easily lift off or affect your driving in high winds.  

5.  Report any damage promptly

If your car suffers any damage during extreme weather, get in touch with your insurance company as soon as possible. Keep a copy of your policy in your car or on your phone so that you can easily access the information you need. For information on emergency contact numbers, scroll to the bottom of this guide. 

Top tips to getting your home ready for rough weather

Of course, storms don’t only affect vehicles. Homes can be seriously damaged during severe weather, but many of the worst effects can be avoided with a little preplanning. If you hear a weather warning, start working through the below checklist as soon as you can: 

1.  Take a look outside your home

Often, the biggest danger comes from your own garden: Loose Garden furniture, wheelie bins, plant pots, and even trampolines can become flying projectiles in high winds. Before a storm hits, walk around outside, remove and/or secure anything that could be picked up in strong gusts, including any dead or overhanging tree branches that could cause potential damage.

2.  Secure windows, doors, and drains

It sounds simple, but double check that all windows are properly shut and locked - otherwise they could flip open and break during a storm. If you have shutters or heavy curtains, draw these closed to help reduce draughts or contain broken glass. It’s a messy job, but it’s a good idea to clear gutters and drains if possible, as this reduces the risk of water building up and getting into your home. 

3.  In heavy snow and icy conditions protect exposed pipes

For any weather warning it can be hazardous for homes but it’s particularly important to be prepared for snow and ice warnings to prevent your pipes from freezing and protect your water supply.  Here’s some key tips to be prepared in advance:

  • Make sure your boiler is serviced regularly by an accredited plumber or gas installer.  If not, leaks could freeze causing it to breakdown with costly repairs.
  • Ensure all water tanks and pipes are insulated.
  • If you are leaving your home for a number of days and it will be unattended, you should shut off the water supply to the property.
  • It’s important to note that running your taps will not prevent pipes from freezing.

4.  Safeguard valuable or important items

If you live in an area that’s likely to flood it’s good to plan ahead as you may want to consider moving valuables, important documents, or electronics upstairs. If you can access them, sandbags offer a surprisingly effective defence against slowly rising water levels, although they won’t be able to hold serious flooding at bay.

5.  Keep emergency supplies handy

Next time you’re ordering online, consider adding a home emergency kit to your basket. This should contain a torch, fresh batteries, blankets, water, and first aid supplies. You might also wish to include a battery powered radio, a fully charged power bank for your mobile devices to stay connected and any medications or foods your family needs to tide them over if electricity goes down in the area.

6.  Carry out a full inspection after the storm

Once it’s safe, head outside to survey the damage (if any). You’ll want to look for:

  • Missing slates or other signs of roof damage
  • Visible leaks or damp patches
  • Flooding or other water ingress
  • Damaged walls or windows
  • Fallen trees
  • Blocked drains or gutters

If you spot something you’re concerned about, take a photograph but never try to investigate further unless it’s safe to do so. If you have Emergency Home Repair included in your insurance policy with RedClick, you can call our freephone number 24/7, 365 days a year to access fast, qualified assistance. Once help is on its way, the next step is to get in touch with the claims team, read on to learn more.​​ 

Key numbers: Who to call in a weather emergency

If the wind is howling and the windows are rattling, it can be hard to think straight not to mention reading or writing in the dark. Keep this list of key weather warning numbers handy so that you can access it quickly in the event of an emergency.

1.  Emergency services: Call 112 from your mobile device or 999 from a landline in the event of any immediate danger to a person or property, including injuries or illnesses, fallen trees blocking roads, downed power lines, or hazardous structures.  

 

2.  Energy and resource organisations: If you need to make contact about power outages, gas supply (or risk), and flooding, you can reach the main service providers here: 

 

3.  Local authority and resource contacts: The Irish government maintains a live list of emergency numbers for County Councils, transport agencies, school boards, and other key organisations.  

 

4.  RedClick’s emergency assistance: If your RedClick policy includes these benefits, you can contact our 24/7 helplines at the numbers below:

 

5.  RedClick’s claims team:  

If you need to make a Motor or Home insurance claim on your RedClick policy you can submit a report online or our call centre is open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, with two contact numbers depending on your policy;

  • If your policy number starts with XB, call 01 5534040
  • If your policy number starts with GEI, call 1800 944412

For a full list of all our contact details, visit our website here.  

 

Unpredictable weather is just part of life here in Ireland. The best way to ensure it passes peacefully over us, is to get organised in advance, take all necessary precautions, and have suitable car and home insurance in place where necessary.

“Winter driving in Ireland requires more than caution, it also demands preparation,” Lorenzo Ioan, RedClick’s General Manager said recently. “We’re urging drivers to take a few small steps now to stay safe and confident throughout the season, and to be fully prepared should any accidents happen.”  

Read our guide to winter motoring and winter-proofing your home for more practical advice on staying safe and keeping your property secure, whatever the weather. You can also check the HSE Winter Ready booklet from 2024 which gives detailed information on staying safe during any weather event. Stay safe and stay protected!

 

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