Some river levels at peak

With more rain forecast for the coming days, concerns for flooding and flash flooding in certain areas remain.

River levels on some parts of the Erne system are more than four and half times higher than they were at their lowest point three weeks ago.

At Butlersbridge, the level of the Erne peaked at 2.54 metres on January 29, before starting to drop off.

At three others sites - Sallaghan, Ashfield and Belturbet - water levels have crept steadily upwards since January 11.

Though levels at Sallaghan and Ashfield have also fallen back slightly since the weekend, Belturbet (2.48m) remains highest according to data collected yesterday morning (Tuesday), February 3.

The Blackwater at Stramatt reached at height of 1.85m at the weekend, compared to 0.42m on January 11.

Similar levels were recorded at the Annalee and the Cavan Rivers.

In Monaghan, as of February 2, floodwaters are receding across the county following a respite in rainfall.

Clarebane on the Fane, was close to record flood levels (1.878m in June 1963) on January 28, but is currently trending downwards.

From a height of 2.7 metres on January 23, Glaslough (Mountain Water) is back to near normal for the season. For the same date, the river rose to almost 1.6 metres at Cappog Bridge (Blackwater), almost reaching that level again four days later, on January 27, before dropping back.

The Finn at Anlore reached above median levels for this time of year on January 28 (1.7m) but has receded considerably since.

The weather outlook for the week ahead is that a band of low pressure to the southwest of the country will bring further spells of rain this week, meaning a “combination of already saturated ground” and high river levels means “flooding is likely” according to Met Éireann.

Dozens of roads were left underwater, damaged, or closed in the aftermath of Storm Chandra.

The entire country was placed under a Status Yellow weather warning as Storm Chandra battered the region with heavy, persistent rain and powerful winds at the start of last week.

The Government has also announced an Emergency Response Payment for those unable to afford emergency repair costs following the Storm Chandra flooding.

Speaking in the Seanad last week, Aontú Senator Sarah O’Reilly said said homes and businesses across Cavan and Monaghan have been badly affected.

“Simple maintenance like clearing drains and gullies can make a real difference, but councils need the resources to carry out this work properly,” she said, pointing to reductions in funding, noting that Cavan County Council’s road maintenance allocation fell from €508,000 in 2021 to €463,000 in 2025, while Monaghan’s funding decreased from €550,000 to €482,900 over the same period.

“At a time when roads are under increasing pressure from heavier rainfall and extreme weather, cutting maintenance budgets leaves communities more vulnerable,” she said.

She also raised concerns about the lack of progress on the Cavan flood relief scheme, which was introduced in 2018 but has yet to deliver on the ground flood protection works.

“Eight years on, the scheme remains at the development stage, with plans and assessments but no real protection in place for homes, roads or businesses. Eight years of funding just to get to the stage where they can begin to review flood relief measures. The Government has spun itself this web of bureaucracy and they just can’t seem to get out of it.”

Response teams on the ground

Meanwhile, Monaghan County Council can confirm that council crews and emergency response teams have been actively managing flooding issues across the county over the past week.

Periods of respite in rainfall over recent days have allowed floodwaters to gradually recede in many areas; however, conditions remain variable and the weather outlook for the coming days continues to be unsettled.

At various points this week, up to 38 roads were affected by flooding, primarily in the mid‑south of the county. At present up to 8 roads are severely impacted by flooding.

"Council Crews have been continuously engaged throughout the week, responding to calls from the public, maintaining temporary traffic management measures, distributing sandbags where required, and assisting residents affected or isolated by floodwaters. Temporary flood defence barriers remain in place at a number of key locations," a spokesperson said.

Civil Defence teams continue to carry out welfare checks on isolated residents and are providing assistance and essential supplies where needed.

"While anticipated rainfall over the next 24–48 hours is not expected to meet warning thresholds, it may still impact already saturated ground and high river levels. Preparations are underway accordingly, and the Council will continue to monitor conditions closely," the spokesperson concluded.