Weather warnings issued for 17 counties as Ireland braces for further floods

Simon Kelly

One Status Orange and two Status Yellow warnings are in place.

Met Éireann have issued multiple weather warnings around the country as Ireland braces for more potential flooding in the wake of Storm Babet.

A Status Orange rain warning is in place for Waterford, Wexford and Kilkenny until 1am on Tuesday, October 23, while most remaining counties are covered by a Status Yellow rain warning.

The Status Orange warning comes with “heavy and persistent rain with thundery downpours possible.” Flooding, dangerous travel conditions and poor visibility are all to be expected.

On Monday morning, October 23, the national forecaster issued two further Status Yellow rain warnings, covering 17 counties in total.

Both in place since 8.30am on Monday, the first of the warnings covers Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow and Roscommon and is expected to last until Tuesday at 1am.

Cloudy with rain extending across Munster, Connacht & S Leinster this morning, turning heavy at times particularly across the SE & midlands where flooding is possible.⚠️

Rain will gradually spread further to the N & E this afternoon followed by a mix of cloud & isolated showers. pic.twitter.com/FTGI9FDSt7

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) October 23, 2023

The second warning covers Clare, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Galway and Mayo, and is in place until 6pm on Monday

Both alerts warn of potentially heavy rain with chances of thunder as well as localised flooding and difficult travelling conditions.

Status Orange – Rain warning for Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford

Heavy & persistent rain with thundery downpours possible?️⛈️

Impacts:

• Flooding
• Dangerous travel conditions
• Poor visibility

Valid: 04:00 Monday 23/10/2023 to 01:00 Tuesday 24/10/2023 pic.twitter.com/N78urERVkr

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) October 23, 2023

Ireland braces for further flooding as weather warnings issued

After the shocking scenes of flooding in the south of the country last week, further water damage and flooding is expected in the coming days.

Some areas have already felt the effects this morning, as flooding throughout Waterford City has been reported.

Waterford City and County Council have said that heavy rainfall has led to surface water and localised flooding throughout the county, urging the public to exercise caution as driving conditions may be hazardous.

Cork City Council have also urged locals to remain vigilant as it continues to recover from the devastating flooding from last week.

“Cork County Council is asking areas which were impacted by recent flood events to be conscious of the risk of possible future flooding,” the council said in a statement issued on Sunday.

“Residents in flood-prone areas who have previously been issued with sandbags are advised to take all necessary precautions, considering the forecast.”

Rain is expected to move northeastwards across the country today, continuing to affect the north and east of the country throughout the night, with scattered showers elsewhere.