Parts of Co Wexford have been badly hit by Storm Claudia with homes and businesses flooded and âlots of damage to roadsâ, a local councillor has said.
Speaking about his district of Gorey-Kilmuckridge, Cllr Craig Doyle said there were âmassive efforts from road crews overnight and weâre still trying to keep roads open but rivers are bursting their banks all over the district,â Cllr Doyle said. âThe Ounavarra [river] is 100 feet wide in places and two metres higher than its normal level.â
A road in Courtown is starting to fall into the river as well, Cllr Doyle added. He advised people to stay clear of the floods as the currents are strong and dangerous.
Members of the public were also advised to stay away from the village of Blackwater in Co Wexford which has been hit again by flooding. The Blackwater river has burst its banks flooding a number of houses and the local pub.
Flooding around the area has now become almost an annual event. Leas cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council Oliver Walsh, who is from the village, said: âSome people here are just waiting for when the water will come [into their homes]. They are in sheer fear.
âItâs devastating for those who have their homes and businesses floodedâ.
Elsewhere in the southeast, Carlow town park is closed as it has been completely flooded. Carlow County Council issued a warning that the public should avoid the area due to âelevated river levelsâ.
A number of premises are still without power across the country. According to ESB Networks the impact of the yellow-level winds associated with the storm were âmodestâ. As of Saturday afternoon, the number of homes, farms and businesses without power had fallen to below 2,0000 with about 3,000 properties reconnected since early morning.
ESB Networks crews have been mobilised in impacted areas since yesterday and are responding to power outages when it is safe to do so. Real-time information on power outages and restoration times is available on powercheck.ie. The public have been warned that if they come across fallen wires or damaged electricity network they should avoid touching or approaching the cables as they are live and extremely dangerous.
Weather forecaster Met Ãireann warned people to be alert for âsignificantâ flooding and hazardous travelling conditions.
Dublin City Council (DCC) said the Dodder river âremains under close observationâ, with cumulative rainfall on the Dublin Mountains exceeding 100mm since yesterday and contributing to high river levels.
There are flood defence gates in place along the lower Dodder near the Aviva Stadium, where the Irish rugby team are set to face Australia this evening. That fixture, scheduled for 8pm, coincides with the evening high tide.
Last night, the Dodder experienced âa substantial swellâ, according to the DCC. Localised flooding was contained to the Dartry area of Milltown. About 2,000 properties are receiving increased protection through additional flood defences.
The council said about 70 flood response staff were operating citywide to address localised flooding and monitor strategic drainage and river infrastructure. Waste management and road maintenance teams are working to clear debris and ensure safe road conditions.
Met Ãireann said some sunny spells would develop in the south during the afternoon along with well-scattered showers. Elsewhere will stay mostly cloudy but becoming drier as the rain becomes patchier. Fresh to strong northeasterly winds will ease light to moderate by early afternoon. Highest temperatures are set to be between seven to 14 degrees, mildest in the south.
It will stay rather cloudy overnight for most but largely dry with just a few spots of light rain or drizzle along with some patchy mist. Lowest temperatures will be four to nine degrees generally in light to moderate northeasterly breezes. It will become clearer and colder for Ulster, though, with temperatures falling between two and six degrees.
The forecaster said Sunday would be dry for most, with a mix of cloud and sunny spells at first, along with the odd spot of light rain or drizzle.
