LAST UPDATE | 17 Oct 2023

A STATUS ORANGE rain warning is currently in effect in Cork, Kerry and Waterford, with Met Éireann predicting heavy downpours and blustery winds as Storm Babet is set to hit the south of the country. 

The Orange warning will remain in place until 1pm tomorrow afternoon. 

Floods have begun in various towns in Cork, with flood barriers being erected in Mallow and Fermoy as the water began to rise over the banks of the River Blackwater.

The national forecaster had warned of localised flooding, poor visibility, difficult driving conditions and possible wave overtopping at high tide. 

Flood barriers have now been erected in Mallow and Fermoy due to the current Orange rainfall warning. #StormBabet pic.twitter.com/0aNXJF1FGp

— Cork Safety Alerts (@CorkSafetyAlert) October 17, 2023

Earlier, footage on X, formerly Twitter, showed that the river had burst its banks and was overflowing at The Lee Fields park, in the west of Cork City.

Video of the Lee Fields this afternoon being flooded as the dams flow is increased to allow for tomorrows flood waters.
Despite the scaremongering, there is practically no chance of flooding tomorrow as the ESB are legally mandated to protect Cork from flooding. pic.twitter.com/0emhnLIjap

— LEE Forum (@_LEEForum) October 16, 2023

Separate localised flooding took place in Clonakilty and Rosscarbery.

The County Council said in X this evening that “crews remain on standby in several known risk locations across the country and have been clearing debris from inlets and gullies to address surface flooding issues”.

Flooding in Clonakilty today. Cork County Council Cork County Council

It added that sandbags and pumping arrangements are in place in known problem locations,  as well as flood barriers in Fermoy and Mallow – with no traffic restrictions currently in place.

The council advised motorists to drive with care through Rosscarbery, as flooding has taken place there whilst a diversion had been set up as the N71 closed for a period, with traffic diverted through the town.

🟠⚠️Please continue to exercise caution when travelling this evening. We are aware of reports of some flooding and surface water across the county. This is Rosscarbery where the N71 will be closed for a period with traffic diverted through the town 🟠⚠️ #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/OnAs1ASgZ9

— Cork County Council (@Corkcoco) October 17, 2023

Waterford City and County Council this evening decided it would not close a number of coastal car parks tonight, after an assessment by the local authority’s severe weather management team.

There is a status Yellow rain warning for Leinster, Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan in effect until 8pm tomorrow evening.

Another status Yellow rain warning is also in place in counties Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and Connacht until 6pm tomorrow. 

Met Éireann meteorologist Brandon Creagh said a low pressure system to the west of the Iberian peninsula is extending warm fronts and cloud northwards across the country, which will turn into rain and turn heavy from tomorrow morning.

“Over the next few days, we have that low pressure system making its way northwards and as it does so, rainfall begins to spread across the country, turning heavy in the southwest before spreading across the county throughout the period,” he said.

“Into the early hours of Wednesday morning, the centre of the low pressure system makes its way into the UK and becomes Storm Babet.”

Cork County Council have advised that its staff remain on standby in several known risk locations in the county, and said debris has been cleared from inlets and gullies to minimise the risk of surface flooding.

It also said that flood barriers have been raised in Mallow and Fermoy, where no traffic restrictions are currently in place, but that spot flooding is occurring throughout the road network, including on the R595 Baltimore Road.

Motorists have been advised to avoid driving through flowing or standing water, and to exercise caution during spells of heavy rain.

Storm Babet will bring some heavy rain to Northern Ireland from tomorrow afternoon to Thursday morning, with possible disruption. 

A Yellow rain warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry will be in place from 2pm tomorrow until 10am on Thursday morning. 

#AfternoonWeather

Wet & breezy today, turning heavy at times with spot flooding possible, particularly in the south 🌧️🍃

🌡️ Highs of 9 to 14 C with fresh easterly winds 🌬️

Keep informed ⬇️https://t.co/yEsIuCkWlq pic.twitter.com/DtKqwzxTNF

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) October 17, 2023

The forecast for the country as a whole is for conditions to turn “wet and breezy” today, Met Éireann said. 

“Rain will spread across Munster in the morning before extending across the rest of the country during the afternoon.

The rain will be heavy and thundery at times, so localised flooding is possible, particularly in the southwest.”

Highest temperatures are predicted to be between 9 and 14 degrees with a “fresh to strong and gusty “east to southeast wind, the weather service said.

Tonight the country will continue to see wet and breezy conditions with rain moving northwards. This will bring a further chance of localised flooding overnight.

“The clearance of that rain will be followed by a short break and then further rain later in the night.”

We can expect lowest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees with a moderate to fresh and gusty southeast wind, which will be strong in coastal areas.

Includes reporting by Muiris O’Cearbhaill