LAST UPDATE | 22 Feb 2021

A STATUS ORANGE rainfall warning has been issued for Cork, Kerry, Tipperary and Waterford with the rest of the country facing a Status Yellow warning.  

The orange warning takes effect for the four counties from 7pm tonight and lasts until 9pm tomorrow, with Met Éireann warning that 50 to 80mm of rain could fall. 

Very heavy rain is expected tonight and into tomorrow with both river and surface water flooding likely. 

A Status Yellow rainfall warning for the rest of the country kicks in from 9pm tonight and lasts for 24 hours. 

A Status Yellow wind warning is also in place for for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Sligo and all of Munster will kick in at 9pm and last until 6am tomorrow morning.

The forecaster said: “Southerly winds will reach mean wind speeds of 50 to 65km/h, with gusts of 90 to 110km/h, possibly higher on exposed coasts. Where winds are onshore there is a risk of coastal flooding.”

https: / /www.met.ie/ https: / /www.met.ie/ / /www.met.ie/

Before the weather turns tonight, today is set to be a dry and sunny day across the country.

Met Éireann said that there’ll be only isolated showers across Munster and Connacht today.

Highest temperatures will range between 9 to 11 degrees. 

Persistent rain will develop in the west and south-west, becoming widespread overnight with the risk of localised flooding. 

Tomorrow will remain wet and windy as further spells of heavy rain spread northwards across the country. 

It’ll be mild however, with highs of 11 to 13 degrees. 

The weather will continue unsettled through midweek before becoming more settled with mainly dry conditions and sunny spells. 

Cork 

Ahead of the Status Orange warning, Cork County Council’s severe weather assessment team convened this afternoon.

The Council said it is at is highest levels of preparations with crews clearing inlets, gullies and known flood risk areas across Cork county throughout the day. 

Flood barriers in Fermoy and Mallow are being installed to their highest levels. In Mallow, Longfields Bridge and Park Road, and in Killavullen, Killavullen Bridge will close when necessary. 

Pumps are being deployed in Bantry, Dunmanway, Skibbereen, Bandon, Clonakilty and the N25 (east of Castlemartyr). Staff will be monitoring all known problem locations throughout the night, tomorrow and into Wednesday. 

⚠️Our Severe Weather Assessment Team has convened again this afternoon in response to Met Eireann's Status Orange Rainfall Warning.

With very heavy rain forecast for tonight and tomorrow,
the Council is at its highest levels of preparation.

ℹ️ https://t.co/f04QZMG40g pic.twitter.com/IAfiwM8a42

— Cork County Council (@Corkcoco) February 22, 2021

In Skibbereen, Rossa Road has closed with sandbags in place. 

In Clonakilty, measures have been put in place at the end of the Timoleague Road. 

In Rosscarbery, culverts have been inspected and staff are on standby. 

Sandbags have been redeployed to known flood locations throughout the county. 

Motorists are advised to avoid driving through flowing or standing water and to exercise caution during heavy rain. Motorists are also asked to be conscious of cyclists and pedestrians. 

Property owners are advised to take precautions in low lying areas or areas susceptible to flooding.

Issues such as fallen trees, flooding and road damage should be reported to the Council’s emergency out-of-hours number (021) 4800048.

County County Council said it will continue to monitor the situation and convene as required over the next 48 hours. 

Driving conditions

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads today and tomorrow. 

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

The RSA has issued the following advice to motorists on foot of the weather warnings: 

• Drivers need to slow down and leave a bigger space 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.
• 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. They may also have 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.
• After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance – this helps to dry the brakes.
• Drive with dipped headlights at all times.
• Control of a vehicle may be affected by strong crosswinds. High sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds.
• Beware of objects being blown onto the road. Expect road conditions to change quickly in high winds so reduce your speed.
• Watch out for falling/fallen debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road.
• Drivers should allow extra space between themselves and vulnerable road users, such as cyclists and motorcyclists as they may be blown off course by strong winds.

🔶Orange Weather Warning🔶

📑 https://t.co/Kn2Pszs0n9

📍 Cork, Kerry, Tipperary, Waterford

🌨Very heavy rain on Monday/Tuesday will likely cause river flooding and surface water flooding. Totals of 50-80mm (higher in mountainous areas)

📆 Mon 22-Tues 23 Feb

⏰ 7pm - 9pm pic.twitter.com/EKunOwfZjy

— RSA Ireland (@RSAIreland) February 22, 2021

Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are being warned that visibility and light is reduced in poor weather conditions and to keep safe by making sure they can be seen, by wearing bright clothing with reflective armbands or belts. 

They are also being asked to take extra caution when crossing the road or cycling in extremely windy conditions, and to walk on a footpath where possible, and not in the street. People are being urged to walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic, if there are no footpaths. 

The RSA is advising cyclists that they and their bikes should be visible to other road users. 

- With reporting by Rónán Duffy and Sean Murray