LAST UPDATE | 14 Sep 2023
STATUS ORANGE AND Yellow rain warnings have come into effect for 13 counties, with Met Éireann advising of persistent and sometimes heavy rain with spot flooding in some areas.
A Status Yellow rain warning has been issued for the south of the country, while a Status Orange warning has been issued for Cork and Waterford.
Met Éireann has said counties affected may include Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Wexford, Wicklow, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary.
From Thursday evening to Friday evening, locals should expect persistent and sometimes heavy rain, which may lead to localised flooding, poor visibility and difficult travelling conditions in these counties.
In Dublin, the morning was mainly dry with sunny spells, but what followed was a rainy afternoon in some parts. Temperatures will reach 15 to 18 degrees today, with light northeast breezes.
Cork will be cloudier with rain or drizzle near the south coast. Persistent rain is to develop in the south and spread northwards through the evening, heavy at times.
Cork County Council has issued a statement earlier saying it will continue to monitor the situation and that preparations have already been made ahead of the incoming bad weather.
“Cork County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team convened this morning and has crews on standby in several known risk locations across the county,” the Council said.
“Crews are currently clearing inlets and gullies. Sandbags and pumping arrangements will be in place in known problem locations.”
The Council has asked members of the public to “exercise extreme caution as driving conditions may be hazardous, with surface flash flooding possible.”
The Council also advised motorists to avoid driving through flowing or standing water and to exercise caution during heavy rain, while also remaining conscious of cyclists and pedestrians.
“Forecasted conditions may give rise to localised power outages,” the Council said.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is also asking road users to exercise caution this evening and up until tomorrow evening, warning of “localised flooding, poor visibility and very difficult travelling conditions” in the areas with yellow warnings.
“Road users in areas affected by the Orange Warnings for heavy rain are advised to check local traffic and weather conditions before setting out on a journey,” the RSA said.
The RSA advises motorists to slow down and allow greater breaking distances behind vehicles, be aware of spray from vehicles carrying goods, and avoid driving through flooded sections of road.
“After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance – this helps to dry the brakes,” the statement said.
Additionally, “road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic that have been put there by the local council or An Garda Síochána.”
Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists should ensure they are visible to other road users, the RSA said.
With reporting from Cormac Fitzgerald
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