Met Eireann issues wind warnings; Cork sees waterflow rise from Iniscarra Dam
Cork City Council say there is a need for increased preparedness for flooding in the Carrigrohane Road area and nearby areas.
Traffic diversions will be in place, but at the moment, flooding is not anticipated for Cork city centre.
The ESB have increased the water flow from Inniscarra Dam in Co Cork.
The flow will increase to 200 cumecs (cubic metres per second) from 180 cumecs and may increase to 250 cumecs or above in the coming days.
This is higher than the level of flow between December 6 and 12 following Storm Desmond.
Met Eireann has issued a number of weather warnings as Storm Frank approaches Ireland.
A Status Orange wind warning is in place along the west coast, from Donegal to Kerry from tomorrow afternoon.
The seven counties included in the wind warning are Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare and Kerry.
Winds of up to 80 kilometres per hour are forecast, with gusts of up to 120 kilometres per hour forecast for coastal areas from tomorrow afternoon.
Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford have been issued with a Status Yellow wind warning.
The forecasters says there will be winds of up to 65 kilometres per hour accompanied by gusts of 90 kilometres per hour, mainly along the south coast from tomorrow afternoon.
Flood update: Limerick to Ennis to Galway bus transfers, line still closed due to flooding. Full info: https://t.co/qooPE4QrSb
— Iarnród Éireann (@IrishRail) December 28, 2015
The Government's emergency task force met this morning and is warning motorists to drive with care, or avoid journeys if possible.
The ESB says that the flow of water through Parteen Weir will remain at its current level today, but will stay under review.
The flow is likely to increase in the coming days with high levels of rain expected.
The current flow is 405 cubic metres per second, which is more than 24 million litres a minute.
They said: "This level of water flow may have associated flooding to land and property in the vicinity of the Shannon downstream of Parteen Weir including the areas of Springfield, Montpelier, Castleconnell, Mountshannon (Annacotty) and the University of Limerick.
"Note that other areas between Parteen Weir and Limerick may also be vulnerable to flooding due to local issues."
Soldiers distribute sandbags & provide transport to people stranded in Gort Area #StormFrank #DefendProtectSupport pic.twitter.com/tCFn3WauGq
— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) December 28, 2015
Clare County Council says that water levels along the Lower River Shannon are likely to increase further in the coming days due to anticipated further increases in discharge levels at Parteen Weir.
Areas along the River Shannon are on flood watch, with further heavy rain expected ahead of Storm Frank.
The Shannon is expected to rise by a further 10cm by Wednesday.
Yesterday, the ESB increased the flow of water through Parteen Weir for the second day running.
ESB is warning that the increased flow means areas downstream in Limerick and Clare may be at risk of flooding.
Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Mayo, Donegal, Southern Scotland, SE UK are going to get hit hard by #StormFrank tomorrow pic.twitter.com/qaYtU34rLg
— Deric (@deric_tv) December 28, 2015
Flood defences in Athlone are said to be holding steady, as Westmeath County Council remains on alert. Around 40 people have spent Christmas manning pumps in the town.
Limerick City and County Council also warned in a statement yesterday that there is a heightened risk of flooding during the coming days.
Flooding on the way to Galway! #flooding #rainymood ☔️💦🌊🌪 pic.twitter.com/mTE2w6PEa4
— Ross McKinley (@wrossmck) December 28, 2015
Storm Frank is expected to reach Ireland tomorrow afternoon, bringing strong winds and heavy rain over the coming days.
Some photos from along the Lower River Suck earlier today. The Suck is the largest tributary of the River Shannon. pic.twitter.com/huFVUN8QBm
— Ecofact (@EcofactEcology) December 27, 2015
Met Eireann says "it will become very windy with rain pushing into Munster [on Tuesday] afternoon, extending to all areas by evening, with heavy and persistent falls in parts of the southwest".
Heavy and persistent rain is also predicted for today, especially in Munster and south Leinster today.
The level of rainfall this winter has been unprecedented, according to a senior engineer.
Vincent Murray, senior engineer with Limerick City and County Council, says that the mild temperature and volumes of rain this winter have been unprecedented.
Mr Murray said: "That level of rainfall in winter time over the same period is probably an unprecedented thing since we haven't had any cold or freezing weather which we would normally associate with this time of year.
"With regard to road gritting, we haven't had any crews out yet this year, but all our crews are tied up with flooding, which probably wouldn't be the case in a normal winter."
