LAST UPDATE | 12 Mar

PROPERTY OWNERS IN low lying areas of Cork or in places prone to flooding have been urged to take precautions ahead of a Status Orange warning for rain that is due to come into effect tomorrow.

A Status Yellow warning for rain is currently in place for counties Cork and Kerry until midday tomorrow. 

Both counties will then be placed under a Status Orange rain warning until midday on Thursday. 

Cork County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team has crews on standby in several known risk locations across the county and pumping arrangements are being put in place as a precautionary measure in known problem locations. 

Property owners are also being advised by Cork County Council to take precautions in low lying areas or areas susceptible to flooding.

The council added that the weather event is forecast to differ from other recent Status Orange rainfall events because the rainfall intensity is expected to be moderate to steady, and high intensity downpours are not expected.

Met Éireann has said there will be persistent rain in the counties, heavy at times, accompanied by strong onshore winds, high tides and elevated river levels. 

This may lead to flooding, wave overtopping and difficult travelling conditions, the forecaster said. 

A Status Yellow rain warning will also kick in for Waterford at midday tomorrow and will remain in place for 24 hours. 

Advice for road users

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads tomorrow and on Thursday while the weather warnings are in place. 

Road users in areas affected by the Status Orange warning are advised to check local traffic and weather conditions before setting out on a journey.

The following advice is being given to motorists: 

• Drivers need to slow down and allow a greater braking distance between themselves and the vehicle in front in wet weather conditions. This is especially important on high speed roads such as dual carriageways and motorways where there is increased danger of aquaplaning.
• Take special care when driving behind goods vehicles as they generate a considerable amount of spray which reduces your visibility, hold back to where you can see their mirrors.
• If the road ahead is flooded choose another route, do not attempt to drive through it. Flooded roads that appear shallow could be deeper than you think. The verge may have subsided and there may also be trees or branches that have fallen that may not be visible.
• Road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic that have been put there by the local council or An Garda Síochána.
• After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance – this helps to dry the brakes.
• Be Safe. Be Seen. Drive with dipped headlights at all times to ensure that you are visible and that you can see other road users.

Pedestrians are advised to walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.

Cyclist should ensure that they and their bike are visible to other road users by investing in a good set of front and rear lights (white at the front, red at the back) and by wearing clothes that help you be seen on your bike, consider wearing high visibility material.

Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are being asked to wear bright clothing and consider wearing high visibility material.

Forecast

Looking at the general forecast, rain is due to become persistent and heavy at times in the southwest and west throughout today. 

A band of more persistent rain will move into the west and northwest early tonight, before moving southeastwards overnight. 

The rain is due to gradually clear in the northern half of the country tomorrow morning and most areas will become dry for a time in the afternoon. 

Conditions will be dull and damp further south where rain and drizzle is forecast to continue. 

Rain is expected to spread northwards over Ireland tomorrow night. 

Thursday is due to be mostly cloudy and unsettled with rain or showers continuing to feed in from the southwest. 

Met Éireann has said a few brighter intervals may develop, the best of which will be later in the afternoon. 

Thursday night is forecast to stay mostly cloudy with further rain or showers through the night.