Storm Babet: Status Orange warnings issued as Cork suffers ‘significant flooding’

According to the Orange warnings, "heavy rain" could cause flooding, reduced or poor visibility and dangerous road conditions.

Multiple counties have been issued with Status Orange weather warnings as Storm Babet has arrived in Ireland. Earlier in the week, the storm was named by the UK Met Office as Met Éireann stated that heavy rainfall was expected on Tuesday and Wednesday, especially across southern parts of the country. This came to pass, with subsequent reports of flooding and power outages in some southern counties. In a statement issued at around midday on Wednesday regarding the impacts of Storm Babet, Cork City Council said:

"Significant flooding is occurring across the city which has impacted motorists this morning and led to traffic delays. "South Terrace and adjoining streets, were seriously impacted by surface water this morning as was North Mall and the South City Link Road. "Lavitts Quay, Popes Quay and Wandesford Quay in the city centre and Glanmire, Rochestown and Blarney were also flooded badly. "Heavy rain is expected until lunchtime today but then it will begin to ease meaning river levels can drop and roads can be re-opened."

?Weather Update?

Significant flooding is occurring across the city which has impacted motorists this morning and led to traffic delays. South Terrace, & adjoining streets, were seriously impacted by surface water this morning as was North Mall and the South City Link Road. pic.twitter.com/J9mB1fntVH — Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) October 18, 2023

Storm Babet: Status Orange warnings issued as Cork suffers 'significant flooding'

Meanwhile, two Status Orange rain warnings from Met Éireann are in place for three counties. The first has already taken effect and applies to Waterford. It will be valid until 4pm on Wednesday.

⚠️UPDATE⚠️ The orange rain warning has been extended for #Waterford

☔️ Flooding ?Poor visibility ?Dangerous road conditions ?Possible wave overtopping at high tide ⏲️Valid: Extended until 16:00 Wednesday 18/10/2023 More here ?https://t.co/Xg3aMJlyuS pic.twitter.com/vIFEiN47Va — Met Éireann (@MetEireann) October 18, 2023

The second, meanwhile, is for Wexford and Wicklow and will be valid from 2pm until 8pm the same day. Both alerts warn of "heavy rain" and "strong and gusty east to southeast winds", with the possible impacts of the conditions listed as flooding, reduced or poor visibility and dangerous road conditions.

An orange rain warning has been issued for #Wexford & #Wicklow has been issued

☔️ Localised Flooding ⚠️ Reduced visibility ? Dangerous road conditions ⏲️Valid: 14:00 - 20:00 Wednesday 18/10/2023 More here ?https://t.co/Xg3aMJlyuS pic.twitter.com/dAVloAEc3j — Met Éireann (@MetEireann) October 18, 2023

There had been a third Status Orange rain warning in effect for Cork and Kerry but it passed on Wednesday at 1pm. Status Yellow rain warnings from Met Éireann are also currently in effect for the provinces of Connacht and Leinster, as well as the counties Cavan, Clare, Donegal, Limerick, Monaghan, Tipperary and Waterford. They are scheduled to be valid until Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, the UK Met Office has issued a Status Yellow rain warning for all of Northern Ireland which will take effect from 2pm on Wednesday until 10am on Thursday. Main images via Twitter/CorkCityCouncil

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