merrion street

The National Co-ordination Group for Severe Weather Emergencies met to assess the current weather forecast and flood threats. The Group will meet again in the afternoon to review the situation.

Met Eireann has issued a series of severe weather warnings for the weekend.

Extremely heavy and prolonged rainfall is forecast for West, Mid-West and North West regions on Friday night and all through Saturday. Met Éireann have issued a number of severe weather warnings for the coming weekend. A RED rainfall warning has been issued for Connacht, Donegal, Clare and Kerry with accumulations in excess of 70mm expected (valid Fri 18:00 - until Sun 03:00). These levels of rainfall are expected to give rise to local flooding, possibly severe, in some areas and which may block roads and affect transport infrastucture.

A level ORANGE rainfall warning is in operation for Cavan, Clare, Cork and Limerick (valid Fri 21:00 - until Sun 03:00), and high winds are expected across the country with a level ORANGE wind warning is in operation for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo (valid Fri 09:00 hours until 18:00 hours Sat)

The National Co-ordination Group for Severe Weather Emergencies met yesterday and will meet again in the afternoon today to assess the current weather forecast and flood threats. The combination of high winds and very heavy rainfall may give rise to very dangerous conditions and the public are advised to monitor the weather forecasts and heed public information advice for their specific area.

Non-essential travel in the affected areas should be avoided. Where roads become flooded, conditions may be extremely hazardous and motorists are advised to approach flooded roads with extreme caution, as flood waters may be stronger and deeper than anticipated.

Local authorities are monitoring the situation and response arrangements are in place to deal with flood emergencies and to co-ordinate with An Garda Síochána and the HSE to deal with the anticipated impact of forecast rainfall and high winds this evening and tomorrow.

The National Co-ordination Group, with OPW and ESB, will continue to monitor the river levels as some rivers are expected to flood, with this very heavy rainfall coming on top of a wet month of November.