Heavy downpours and flooding expected with weather warnings in place

James Cox

Heavy downpours and widespread flooding are expected across the country as weather alerts come into effect.

Thirteen counties are impacted be a yellow warning for heavy rain from 9am.

Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford come under an orange alert from 2pm this afternoon until 11am tomorrow morning.

There is a warning of very difficult travelling conditions until the alerts end tomorrow.

There will also be strong winds as Storm Claudia makes its presence felt.

Rebecca Cantwell from Met Éireann said there is a severe risk of flooding.

"Due to the recent rainfall earlier in the week, we have saturated grounds and swollen rivers as it is. So the addition of this extra rainfall means that we can expect significant river and surface flooding in those counties under the orange warning.

"There will be hazardous driving conditions, all counties under the rainfall warnings are at risk of flooding today, overnight and into tomorrow."

Met Éireann's forecast reads: "A windy day nationwide today, wet too across Munster and Leinster, with widespread rain, becoming heavier through the day, particularly in the south and east, with flooding expected in places. Much drier across Ulster and Connacht with some bright spells further north, and with just some rain and drizzle encroaching onto southern parts. Highest temperatures of 7 to 12 degrees in fresh to strong and gusty northeasterly winds, with gales on eastern coasts."