LIVE: Council urges Cork motorists to exercise 'extreme caution' with heavy rain on the way

LATEST

CORK County Council has issued an advisory for motorists that warns of hazardous driving conditions tonight.

The local authority said.

"Please exercise extreme caution as driving conditions may be hazardous tonight, with further surface water flooding expected. Motorists are advised to expect difficult travel conditions and poor visibility at times.

"Motorists should avoid driving through flowing or standing water as there is a risk of vehicles becoming stranded in flood waters. Motorists are reminded to be especially conscious of vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians."

Please exercise extreme caution as driving conditions may be hazardous tonight, with further surface water flooding expected. Motorists are advised to expect difficult travel conditions and poor visibility at times. pic.twitter.com/DFjL5wceM2

— Cork County Council (@Corkcoco) October 22, 2023

EARLIER

MET Éireann has issued a 24-hour Status Yellow rain warning for Cork which will come into effect at 6pm this evening.

There is a risk of localised flooding and difficult driving conditions are expected.

Clare, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Galway will also be affected.

Heavy rain = localised flooding & difficult travel conditions tonight.
Property owners are advised to take all necessary precautions to safeguard their property. If river levels rise to a level of concern, we will endeavour to advise residents in areas at greatest risk. pic.twitter.com/hAESJeknUA

— Cork County Council (@Corkcoco) October 22, 2023

The warning is set to be lifted at 6pm on Monday.

Status Yellow - Rain warning for Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Galway

Rain, heavy at times with the chance of thunder🌧️⛈️

Possible impacts:

• Localised flooding
• Difficult travel conditions

Valid: 18:00 Sunday 22/10/2023 to 18:00 Monday 23/10/2023 pic.twitter.com/Ndjv8KHqhQ

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) October 22, 2023

Cork County Council will continue to monitor the levels of the Owenacurra River in Midleton as its staff remain at a local co-ordination centre throughout the weekend.

Water levels abated in the area over the weekend as repair works to roads and bridges continued and a large-scale clean-up effort gained momentum.

With high river levels and more rain expected, members of the public are advised to stay high, dry, and away from the coast, rivers, and lakes.

'EAST CORK GREATEST CONCERN'

Cork County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team convened today in advance of Met Éireann’s warning.

Met Éireann has forecasted heavy rain with the chance of thunder leading to localised flooding and difficult travel conditions.

A weather front is forecast to travel across the county overnight from west to east with a potential 30mm of rain forecast for some locations. Based on the most recent forecast patterns available, it is expected that the most intense rainfall periods will commence this evening and during the early morning hours of Monday. The East Cork area is of greatest concern based on current predictions. Separately, Met Eireann has issued a level Orange Rainfall warning for counties in the South East.

Cork County Council is asking areas which were impacted by recent flood events to be conscious of the risk of possible future flooding. Residents in flood prone areas who have previously been issued with sandbags are advised to take all necessary precautions considering the forecast.

The local authority said: "Although river levels have dropped over recent days, levels remain elevated. The advice is therefore for people to remain vigilant. 

"Localised heavy downpours are expected, the exact location of which is unknown. It should be noted that surface water drainage systems have limited capacity and localised downpours and flash flooding may overwhelm drainage systems even where they have been fully cleared. There is also a likelihood of surface water flooding on already saturated ground conditions.

"The Council has been distributing sandbags throughout the county since the severe weather alerts have been issued. It is noted that in the Midleton / East Cork area alone more than 7,000 sandbags have been distributed to date with the assistance of the Defence Forces.

"Property owners across the county are advised to take all necessary precautions to safeguard their property. In the event of river levels rising to a level of concern, the Council will endeavour to advise residents in areas that may be at greatest risk.

"The Council will distribute further sandbags on a priority basis.

MAIN STREET CARRIGALINE TO CLOSE

"Main Street in Carrigaline will close from 9.30pm this evening until 8am tomorrow morning  at which point the matter will be reviewed.

"Cork County Council is reminding members of the public to exercise extreme caution as driving conditions may be hazardous, with further surface water flooding expected. Motorists are advised to expect difficult travel conditions and poor visibility at times. Motorists should avoid driving through flowing or standing water as there is a risk of vehicles becoming stranded in flood waters. Motorists are reminded to be especially conscious of vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians."

Cork County Council can be contacted via its 'Emergency Out of Hours' number (021) 4800048.

Cork County Council will issue further updates as information becomes available.

The weather forecast for the following days suggests that the weather will remain unsettled.