Weather: 27mm of rain falls on Killarney in just 30 minutes; Funnel clouds spotted in Dublin

Cars stuck in flooded waters on the main Cork road out of Killarney beneath the railway bridge on Tuesday. Picture: Don MacMonagle

Torrential downpours this afternoon have resulted in significant flooding in Kerry. 

Flooding was reported in Listowel from shortly before 4pm, with Church Street, Clieveragh and the Ballybunion Road among the hardest-hit areas. Images on social media showed gutters and storm drains overflowing, and floodwaters entering business premises and houses.

Kerry County Council says local crews remain on the ground, and that extra sandbags have been deployed to the area protect against further flooding. 

Killarney was also hit by flooding following heavy, sustained rainfall.

According to Met Éireann, 49.8mm of rain fell on the town between 2.30pm and 4.30pm - 27mm falling in just half an hour. 

Several roads around the town flooded and became impassable, trapping vehicles, including underneath the main railway bridge on Park Road. 

The flooding has now receded, but Kerry County Council said roads crews will remain on standby. 

The main Killarney to Muckross / Kenmare road was flooded on Tuesday afternoon resulting in traffic navigating carefully following the heavy thunder showers. Picture: Don MacMonagle

In a statement, the council said its management met again this evening "to monitor the situation in relation to the severe weather reported across the county."

It said that significant flooding remains on the roads at Cliveragh and the new roundabout on the Ballybunion Road, and road road users have been advised to avoid these areas to allow clean up crews to continue their work. 

"There is also still significant flood on the R552 Ballylongford Road near Burntwood House and ponding on a number of roads around the Listowel area with road users advised to exercise caution."

"The Emergency Number for the sever weather event remains operational: 066-7183588"

A status orange thunderstorm and rain warning, which had been in place for the entire country, was lifted at 6pm. 

A status yellow warning, which came into effect at 6pm, was lifted at 10pm.

Funnel cloud phenomenon

Funnel Cloud, Dublin airport Picture Matt Fitzsimmons via Carlow Weather/Twitter

Meanwhile, funnel clouds have been spotted in various parts of the country this week as Ireland deals with a raft of thunderstorm warnings.

Dublin is the latest county where such a weather phenomenon has been spotted. Carlow Weather's Alan O'Reilly shared a video of the latest funnel cloud, telling the Irish Examiner that they usually occur during thunderstorms and are not uncommon. 

They are usually small and not that obvious, said Mr O'Reilly but video footage shared by Matt Fitzsimmons shows a large funnel cloud hovering near Dublin Airport. 

According to a tweet, Mr Fitzsimmons reported seeing a few funnel clouds forming, and that this was the "largest of them." 

Funnel clouds are usually spotted over water around Ireland, Mr O'Reilly said. 

"They can occur during the thunderstorms like we have this week. Often they are spotted over water around Ireland. If they touch down on land, they become a tornado which are relatively rare in Ireland," he said. 

Over the weekend, another funnel cloud was spotted in Co Meath. 

@CarlowWeather #ashbourne pic.twitter.com/IKDiaaPNDY

— Riona Lynch (@RionaT27) June 18, 2023

Funnel clouds are spinning fingers of cloud that come close to, but never touch the ground. When they do touch the ground, they become a tornado. They are formed due to a rotating column of air and are usually associated with cumulonimbus.

RSA advises motorists to take extra precautions

Motorists have been urged to take extra care while driving during this evening's status Orange weather warning. File Picture: Denis Minihane.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has asked road users to check local weather and traffic conditions and be aware of them before setting out on a trip this evening.

The RSA advised has advised motorists 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.
• 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.

Pedestrians, Cyclists and motorcyclists have been urged wear bright clothing and high-visibility material to be sure they can be seen during period of low visibility. 

The RSA also says walkers should use the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.