Storm Claudia brings heavy rain and flooding risk as weather warnings come into force

Gulls search for food in the flood waters at the Lee Fields, Cork City, with the red dragon ‘Saurian’ sculpture by Jim Buckley surrounded by water from the River Lee. Picture: Larry Cummins

Ireland will feel the effects of Storm Claudia over the next 24 hours as status yellow and orange warnings come into force.

Rain warnings for 13 counties began at 9am on Friday, with Met Éireann saying the “heavy rain event” is the result of a weather front from Storm Claudia.

A series of status yellow rain alerts are in place for Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford in Munster from 9am Friday until 9am Saturday,  with Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Louth, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow in Leinster also coming under the same warning.

Met Éireann has warned that counties under the yellow alerts may experience flooding, difficult travel conditions, and poor visibility, with rain moving in from the south and falling on already saturated ground.

The more severe status orange rain warning for Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow came into effect at 12pm and remains in place until 11am tomorrow.

The forecaster is warning of “significant rainfall accumulation”, particularly on high ground and in exposed areas, with a risk of hazardous travel conditions and flooding throughout the period.

A yellow wind warning also begins at 12pm for Dublin, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow and Meath and will stay in place until 4am on Saturday, with Met Éireann warning of strong gusts and possible debris, leading to difficult conditions.

"This rain is brought to us by a weather front derived from Storm Claudia, named earlier in the week by the Spanish met service," Met Éireann's Liz Walsh said.

"Coupled with the rain, the northeasterly direction of the wind is expected to bring compound impacts in eastern coastal counties, allowing the rain to essentially ‘pack up’ against the high ground in these counties.

"Some large accumulations of rain are expected and that’s why we have issued an orange rain warning." 

She added: "We ask people to be cautious, avoid unnecessary travel as it can be hazardous and with poor visibility, and to stay updated on our website or app, signing up to warnings notifications."

‼️🟠Rain⚠️Dublin Wexford Wicklow
14:00 Fri - 11:00 Sat
🟡Rain⚠️Cork Kerry Limerick Tipperary Waterford
09:00 Fri - 09:00 Sat
🟡Rain⚠️Carlow Dublin Kildare Kilkenny Louth Meath Wexford Wicklow
11:00 Fri - 11:00 Sat
🟡Wind⚠️Dublin Louth Wexford Wicklow Meath
12:00 Fri - 04:00 Sat pic.twitter.com/QdjzCLRWGt

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) November 13, 2025

Cork City Council has confirmed that tonight’s Corkmas parade will proceed as planned despite the Status Yellow rain warning in place for the city. 

While wet conditions are expected, there is no indication of tidal flooding, and the event will begin at 7pm with road closures from 6pm.

Cork County Council has activated a Level 1 flood response plan for East Cork following Met Éireann’s announcement of a “heightened risk” for flooding across Cork this weekend.

A spokesperson for Cork County Council said that crews have inspected known risk locations in East Cork and will continue to monitor and respond as required, and that pumping arrangements have been put in place at locations prone to flooding.

County council crews were out this morning and informed people that the Road N-72-380 though Castlelands and Mallow is now passable again.

Maximum catchment-average accumulations of 30 to 50 mm in 24 hours are expected widely across Munster on Friday and Saturday, with up to 60 mm possible in upland and mountainous areas.

Local authorities were briefed on the expected conditions during a meeting of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) on Thursday night.

A further national technical briefing will take place later this morning, as councils activate their severe weather assessment teams.

Keith Leonard, National Director of the NDFEM, said both river and surface water flooding are expected in Leinster and Munster from today into the weekend.

The Road Safety Authority has urged motorists to exercise extreme caution, avoid flooded roads and remain alert to the dangers of aquaplaning, noting that water depth can be deceptive.

ESB Networks has also warned of possible dangers from fallen wires and is advising the public and emergency services to stay clear of any downed cables and report them immediately.

Transport for Ireland has said public transport services may be disrupted today and tomorrow due to the adverse weather conditions.

WEATHER CENTRE

Check out the Irish Examiner's WEATHER CENTRE for regularly updated short and long range forecasts wherever you are.