A Status Orange rain warning has been issued for Wicklow and Waterford, with a Yellow alert in place for nine other counties, as authorities warn of an increased risk of flooding across large parts of the country.
The Yellow warning applies to Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Louth, Wexford, Monaghan and Tipperary. Both alerts will come into effect at 3am tomorrow and remain in place for 24 hours.
Met Éireann said heavy rainfall falling on already saturated ground, combined with high river levels and elevated tides, is likely to lead to localised and river flooding, as well as hazardous travel conditions. Motorists, particularly in the southeast, have been urged not to drive through flood water.
Wexford County Council warned that flood water is “dangerous and unpredictable, and even shallow water can hide strong currents, debris and open drains”. The council said flooding is occurring in areas where motorists may not normally expect it and confirmed that aqua dams are being installed along exposed sections of the quay in Wexford town ahead of high tide tomorrow morning.
The council said surface water flooding is being worsened by land run-off and full drainage systems, which will take time to recover. It also warned that high coastal levels will reduce river discharge capacity, increasing flood risk in low-lying areas, particularly at high tide. High spring tides for the rest of the week, combined with strong winds and surge, may also lead to wave overtopping and coastal flooding.
Wicklow County Council said crews are monitoring conditions and assessing potential impacts, adding that requests for sandbags are subject to assessment and stock availability. The council urged the public to avoid coastal edges and noted that road closures remain in place in areas affected by earlier flooding.
National Director for Fire and Emergency Management Keith Leonard said parts of Dublin and the southeast are at high risk, with conditions expected to peak tomorrow night. “The Nore, the Barrow, the Slaney and the Liffey [river] catchment are going to see very high levels right across this evening and into tomorrow,” he said.
Mr Leonard said resources are being shared between local authorities, with equipment moved to critical areas and interim measures such as aqua dams deployed. He said south Dublin, including Rathfarnham, was badly affected previously when the River Dodder burst its banks, adding that “absolutely every engineering solution and every kind of interim measure that can be taken is being taken”.
Met Éireann meteorologist Andrew Doran Sherlock warned that flooding risks can continue even after rainfall eases. “The risk of flooding doesn’t necessarily stop because the rain has stopped,” he said. He added that strengthening easterly winds could increase the risk of coastal flooding and advised people to monitor conditions closely.
Tánaiste Simon Harris said further engagement would take place on flood warning systems and financial supports, noting the difference between a Yellow warning when rivers are low compared to when they are already at high levels.
