Country braced for more extreme weather
Storm force winds and high tides are expected to wreak havoc along the west coast tomorrow as the country recovers from a weekend of gales and heavy rain.
A combination of gale force winds, unusually high spring tides and rain are forecast to hit western counties in the afternoon causing floods.
Met Eireann issued a severe weather warning with southerly winds reaching 40mph and gusts of up to 70mph. Onshore winds are forecast to lead to coastal flooding across the northwest.
The storm will worsen during the day with winds expected to reach speeds of up to 55mph and gusting up to 100mph in exposed parts of the west and north. Gusts of 70 to 80mph can be expected elsewhere.
Galway, the Shannon estuary, the north west and some areas in the south are thought to be at particular risk from flooding.
John Leech, Irish Water Safety chief executive, has warned motorists in the west and south and people living near rivers to be extremely vigilant.
“Flood conditions expose the public to hazards they need to be aware of. Motorists need to be particularly vigilant to avoid flooded areas on roads but particularly near rivers,” he said.
He also urged people to listen out for weather and flood warnings and be aware of local high tide times as this was the most critical time.
Mr Leech also called on people to look after elderly or sick neighbours and others who may be at risk.
Strong winds forced 23 planes to be diverted away from Dublin airport on Sunday. Almost 2,000 airline passengers faced hours of disruption and bus journeys across the country from Shannon due to the severe weather.
Elsewhere train services between Dublin and Sligo were hit with a stretch of track outside Longford forced to close due to flooding. Roads were closed in Clare, Monaghan and Galway with a diversion in place in the village of Craughwell, which was particularly badly affected.
