The expected weather picture on Friday evening [Magic Seaweed]

THE COUNTRY’S BEING warned that “practically all rivers” are at risk of flooding in the coming days, following almost two months of rain and several recent severe storms.

It comes as business owners in Cork continue to assess the damage following flooding at high water last night, and householders in parts of Limerick carry on with their clean-ups after the deluge in the city at the weekend.

The problems caused by the stormy weather systems of recent days have been exacerbated by extremely high tides. That concern is now abating, as attention turns to flashpoint areas further inland.

Met Éireann’s warning that the the worst of the incoming rain is likely to sweep across the country from Friday into Saturday, as another low pressure moves in from the Atlantic.

The Shannon is a particular concern, but the National Emergency Coordination Group — which met today at its Dublin headquarters — is advising anyone living near rivers to take note of the conditions forecast for their area.

Séan Hogan of the Department of the Environment, who chairs the group, said there was potential for flooding in “many areas”:

Head of Forecasting at Met Éireann Gerald Fleming said there would be no change in the overall pattern of weather for the next few weeks at least:

(All videos: TheJournal.ie)

The emergency group — which brings together officials from a raft of state agencies including the gardaí, Defence Forces and the OPW — met at the Department of Agriculture building on Kildare Street today to discuss the national response to the recent flooding crises in Cork and Limerick and the upcoming threat from inland waterways.

The group provides support and assistance to local emergency response centres, who are charged with managing the situation on the ground in affected communities.

The National Emergency Coordination Group give a press briefing this afternoon [Image: Daragh Brophy/TheJournal.ie]

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