LATEST: Council crews responding as flooding hits parts of Cork city and county

LATEST: Cork City Council crews are currently responding to localised flooding in a number of areas, including the bottom of Silversprings slip road junction, heading west, the Commons Road and on Tramore Road. 

With heavy rain falling and an orange warning in place until 5pm, both the city and county councils were preparing to deal with flooding incidents today. 

There are also reports of flooding in multiple areas of the county, including Cleary's Road, Gortroe in Youghal and between Midleton and Cloyne passing through Saleen. 

Earlier the county council announced it was erecting flood barriers in Mallow and closing the flood gate at Brian Boru Square in Fermoy. 

EARLIER: An Orange rainfall warning for Cork has come into force from noon today, with the city and county braced for intense rainfall and the possibility of flooding. 

Cork County Council have warned of disruption due to flooding. The council's Severe Weather Assessment Team convened earlier to assess preparations with crews deployed clear drains in areas prone to flooding.

"Pumps have been deployed and are on standby at known flooding locations," added a spokesperson.

"Driving may be hazardous, with surface flooding possible or fallen trees and branches."

They advised to avoid driving through flowing or standing water and exercise caution during heavy rain, and to be conscious of cyclists and pedestrians.

Cork City Council are also prepared for the possibility of flooding incidents across the afternoon, with crews on standby. 

There have already been reports of spot flooding in parts of Blackpool, by the shopping centre and near the Commons Inn. 

The Orange warning is in place for Cork and three other counties until 5pm while a lower risk Yellow warning, issued for the whole country, remains in place until midnight. 

EARLIER: Met Éireann has raised the level of the weather warning for Cork from yellow to orange. 

The forecaster has this morning issued a Status Orange rainfall for Cork and three other counties - Tipperary Waterford and Kilkenny. 

It comes into force at noon, until 5pm, and Met Éireann warns 'intense rain this afternoon (Monday) will lead to some flooding'. 

High tide in Cork is at 9.01 this morning, with the next high tide at 9.31pm. 

In its forecast for Munster, the forecaster says: "Widespread showers or longer spells of rain today with some heavy falls. 

"Localised flooding and some disruption is possible. 

"Drier, brighter weather will develop in western areas during the late afternoon but rain will only slowly clear the east through the evening."

SUNDAY: Trick 'r' treaters in Cork may have to rethink their plans as Met Éireann has issued a rainfall warning for Halloween.

The status yellow rainfall warning for Cork is valid from 6am on Monday until to midnight.

Forecasters are warning that heavy rain on Halloween Monday will lead to localised flooding and some disruption.

"Bank Holiday Monday morning will be cloudy and wet [in Muinster] with some persistent and locally heavy rain, leading to some surface flooding in places," Met Éireann said. 

"During the afternoon a clearance to mainly dry conditions will develop in the west, spreading gradually eastwards later. 

"A cooler day with highest afternoon temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees with light to moderate variable or southwest winds."