Back to back weather warnings issued

Rain warnings issued for 12 counties as flood risk grows

Yellow status weather warnings have been issued for 12 counties, including Cavan, Monaghan and much of the north east, as heavy rainfall is forecast over the next 24 hours.

Met Éireann said the rain, expected on Thursday, follows only a brief respite from wet conditions on Wednesday. Many rivers remain close to or above bank-full after last week’s persistent rainfall, leaving catchments “highly sensitive” to any further downpours.

Following recent rainfall, river levels across several areas are already elevated. Parts of the Erne river system are currently running at more than four-and-a-half times the levels recorded at their lowest point three weeks ago.

Cavan, Monaghan and Louth are among the counties covered by the warnings, which are due to come into effect from 12pm today and remain in place until 12pm on Friday.

The National Emergency Co-ordination Group met on Wednesday and warned the country is entering “another challenging phase” as the risk of flooding continues. Local authority teams have been deploying sandbags, clearing drains and carrying out other flood prevention measures in vulnerable areas.

The Government has confirmed that financial support is available for homes and businesses affected by recent flooding.

Dozens of roads were left underwater, damaged or closed in the aftermath of Storm Chandra, which saw the entire country placed under a Status Yellow weather warning as heavy, persistent rain and strong winds battered the region.