Ireland Orange Rain Warning; US Severe Storms

Severe thunderstorms struck parts of the central U.S. Saturday, with warnings in Oklahoma — including Wagoner, Okmulgee, Muskogee and Tulsa counties — and a Fort Worth‑area NWS warning for Johnson and Tarrant counties reporting gusts to about 60 mph and hail up to 1 inch (half‑dollar to 1‑inch size). A multi‑state severe thunderstorm watch covered northwest Arkansas, southeast Kansas, southern Missouri and eastern Oklahoma until 6 p.m. CT, with forecasts of damaging winds up to 75 mph, hail up to 1.5 inches and 1–2 inches of rain that could cause localized flash flooding. U.S. officials urged people to seek sturdy shelter, avoid windows and follow emergency guidance. In Ireland, Met Éireann issued Status Orange and Yellow rain warnings for the weekend — including an Orange warning for Cork and Yellow alerts for Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Wexford and nearby counties — while the UK Met Office issued Yellow warnings for parts of Northern Ireland (Antrim, Armagh and Down). Forecasters said 20–30 mm of rain is likely widely across warning areas, with up to 100 mm in high ground such as the Mournes and coastal gusts of 40–50 mph, raising risks of thundery downpours, localized and river flooding, and travel disruption. Councils and emergency services in both regions advised residents to follow local advisories, secure loose items, check travel updates and prepare for disruption.