Updated at 16.45pm
ANOTHER MET ÉIREANN wind warning came into effect for several counties this morning, as river levels are set to rise again.
The status yellow warning will remain in place for Wexford, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Waterford until 2pm today.
Several towns are beginning the clean-up this afternoon after severe flooding yesterday.
Strong and gusty winds will have average speeds between of 50 and 65 km/hour, reaching 95 to 110 km/hour at times. Winds will be south to southwest in direction at first, but will veer southwest to westerly and are likely to be strongest in coastal counties of Connacht and Donegal.
During the day temperatures will range from four to nine degrees Celsius.
Tonight, showers will become confined to northwestern coastal areas and it will be dry with clear spells elsewhere. It will be a cold night with lowest temperatures of +2 to -2 degrees Celsius, resulting in widespread sharp ground frost and icy patches on untreated surfaces.
Flooding
Flooding remains an issue in some parts of the country, particularly in areas of Munster and Leinster.
The flow of water through Parteen Weir remained at 440 cubic metres per second yesterday.
In Limerick, levels along the lower River Shannon remained the same overnight. A statement from the local council read:
Council staff arecontinuingpumping operations in Castleconnell and Montpelier while flood defences are being maintained in flood prone locations along the river. The Council is also monitoring water levels on the Mulkear River, which enters the River Shannon downstream of Annacotty.
In Clare, the levels at Clonlara reached their 2009 peak yesterday but have since receded by 100mm. At Ballycoree Bridge, Ballyalla, Ennisc, the River Fergus is at its third highest flow rate on record.
N25 closed
Gardaí have issued a statement in relation to the N25 between Castlemartyr and Killeagh, which still remains severely flooded. The road will not re-open to traffic until tomorrow at the earliest.
From 4.30pm today, the eastbound traffic travelling from Cork – this traffic will be diverted left at the traffic lights in Castlemartyr village onto the L3805 as far as Mogeely village.
Diverted traffic will then turn right in Mogeely onto the L3809 Mogeely/Killeagh road and will rejoin the N25 in Killeagh village. Diversion signs will be in place.
West Bound traffic from Waterford/Youghal will be diverted right in Killeagh village onto the L3809 Mogeely/Killeagh road as far as Mogeely. Traffic will then turn left in Mogeely onto the L3805 Mogeely/Castlemartyr Road and continue to Castlemartyr where they will turn right and rejoin the N25 Cork/Waterford road.
Gardaí want to remind motorists that delays are expected on this diversion and are appealing to the public to slow down, exercise extreme caution and to expect oncoming heavy goods vehicles while travelling this route.
ESB has advised that water in Lough Derg may reach 2009 levels in coming days.
This level of water flow will have increased associated flooding to land and property in the vicinity of the Shannon downstream of Parteen Weir including the areas of Springfield, Montpelier, Castleconnell, Mountshannon (Annacotty) and the University of Limerick. Other areas between Parteen Weir and Limerick may also be vulnerable to flooding due to local issues.
Power outage
ESB crews are continuing to repair the extensive damage caused to the electricity network by Storm Frank. Almost 130,000 customers have been reconnected since the 27 December.
Some 1,700 customers were without power overnight. ESB said many of these customers are in areas where there is extensive flooding and this is hampering repairs. Where premises are flooded it may take a number of days to re-connect customers.
The main areas still without power are: Enniscorthy, Kilmore, Wellingtonbridge, Brittas Bay, Tullow, Bandon, Macroom, Kinsale and Knockbrogan.
A further 1,200 customers in Fermoy, Co Cork lost power this morning.
Roads
AA Roadwatch has advised drivers who encounter flooding on roads to not attempt to drive through it if they can’t tell how deep it is. If you have to drive through standing water, drive through the centre of the road as it tends to be the highest point.
A list of roads closed due to flooding can be found here.
Meanwhile, the N17 Tuam Rd is closed until further notice due to a fatal collision between Parkmore and Claregalway. Diversions are in place.
Additional reporting by Nicky Ryan
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