Storm Chandra: Eastern counties face more flooding as saturated ground heightens risk

Flooding at Enniscorthy town, Co. Wexford where the River Slaney burst its banks on Tuesday. Pictured at the Slaney Search and Rescue transporting locals. Photograph: Patrick Browne

Further warnings remain in place for areas in the east and southeast, which were badly hit by Storm Chandra earlier in the week.

Communities across Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow are facing lengthy clean-up operations following widespread flooding that caused severe disruption, leaving thousands of homes, farms and businesses without electricity and damaging dozens of properties.

Enniscorthy in Co Wexford was badly affected after the River Slaney burst its banks, marking the 16th time the town has flooded since 2001.

A status yellow rain warning is in place for Carlow, Dublin, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow and Waterford, as Met Éireann warns of further heavy rain and showers.

It came into effect at midnight and will remain in place until midnight tonight.

The national forecaster said heavy rain falling on already saturated ground, combined with high river levels, could cause localised flooding, river flooding and difficult travel conditions.

Met Éireann forecaster Holly O’Neill said localised flooding is likely to have the greatest impact in parts of Munster and Leinster.

Ms O’Neill said the extent of flooding depends on how the rain falls and “whether or not it moves quickly.”

"Because of the ground situation at the moment, the grounds being so saturated and with the rivers being so high, any further amount of rainfall that we are going to get is going to have a greater impact than that amount of rainfall would normally have on any other day," she told RTÉ's Morning Ireland on Thursday. 

"It's just because that rain has nowhere to go, basically. So, even if it is only as small as 5mm [of rain that] we see today, it will likely have a greater impact than it would on any other day." 

Rail disruptions

Irish Rail spokesperson Jane Creegan outlined the routes impacted by heavy rain.

Speaking on RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland, Ms Creegan said subsidence has occurred on the line between Portmarnock and Malahide.

“As a result of that, we've no Dart services operating between Malahide and Howth Junction. Dart Services are currently only operating between Howth, Howth Junction and Greystones and Bray.

“There's also a significant impact to Northern Commuter Services. We're operating a limited shuttle between Dundalk and Malahide, but then we have no service obviously between the affected areas. So, we are recommending for our customers that Dublin Bus and Go Ahead are honouring rail tickets, but you are going to expect significant delays and disruption to your journey into the city centre from that route this morning.“ 

Ms Creegan said crews are on site dealing with a tree that fell on the line as a result of subsidence.

“We're confident that we will have it cleared at some stage this morning but I can't give you a timeline on that and I suppose it'd be fair to say the morning peak will be affected by this.”

There are also issues with the Belfast line, she added.

“We have flooding north of the border at Poyntzpass. So we have bus transfers operating between Newry and Belfast. We are also working to provide buses between Drogheda and the city centre on this side of the border. There is also a reduced frequency of services between Dublin and Belfast today.”

Crews are continuing work to repair damage to signalling equipment in Enniscorthy, and Ms Creegan said she was confident a full service will return later today.

“Currently we have bus transfers operating between Gorey and Wexford, so again we just recommend everyone check our website, irishrail.ie, and follow us on social media for the latest updates.”

More rain in days ahead 

Thursday will begin cloudy with scattered outbreaks of rain, although Ulster will remain dry for a time. More persistent rain will move into the southwest by afternoon before moving northeastwards across the country and turning heavy in places.

Further outbreaks of rain will continue on Thursday night, remaining more persistent in Ulster and Leinster before gradually easing.

Friday will start with outbreaks of rain and drizzle before a heavier spell spreads northwards through the morning and afternoon. Saturated ground and high river levels mean there remains potential for localised flooding.

Rain will gradually become lighter on Friday night, with occasional clear spells developing. Temperatures will fall to between 1C and 4C, with lower values locally and frost and ice possible.

Saturday will see lingering patches of rain and drizzle clearing later, allowing sunny spells to develop in the southwest. Daytime highs will range between 7C and 11C.

Saturday night will turn cloudy, with outbreaks of rain and drizzle moving in from the southwest. Overnight lows of 2C to 5C are expected.

On Sunday, outbreaks of rain and drizzle will clear through the day, giving way to sunny spells and isolated showers.

Bank Holiday Monday will be largely cloudy with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, although a more persistent spell of rain may spread northwards later in the day.

WEATHER CENTRE

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