Storm Claudia leaves flooding and power outages in its wake – but conditions set to stabilise today
The national forecaster’s Orange alert for counties Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow has been active since 12pm yesterday and expires this morning at 8am, affecting 1.7 million residents. Status Yellow rain warnings for 13 counties will expire at 9am this morning.
Thousands of homes, farms and businesses were without power last night, the most notable areas affected being Birr, Co Offaly, and the Kilcullen/Newbridge area of Co Kildare.
Several hundred homes in Dublin were hit, as were many counties along the eastern seaboard.
Dublin City Council (DCC) said its flood response teams will “maintain an on-site presence throughout the weekend”, and heavier rain in the Dublin Mountains may impact river levels.
“The River Dodder requires particular vigilance this weekend,” the DCC said in a statement. “Flood defence gates are in place from Beatty’s Avenue to Bath Avenue until Saturday afternoon.”
People braving the elements in Dublin yesterday. Conditions are forecast to stabilise today. Photo: Sam Boal/Collins
7-day weather forecast: November 10th to 17th
All DCC parks will be closed until 11am today. Firefighters attended an incident in the Dublin Docklands involving fallen external cladding from a building side following high winds.
Wexford County Council said surface water on the R772 off Junction 22 in Gorey “has nowhere to go”, while the R741 north of Castlebridge was “impassable” yesterday evening.
There were several instances of road closures due to fallen trees on the R730, Coolishal in Gorey, Ballykelly in New Ross and Bridgetown in Rosslare.
Wicklow County Council reported “limited” flooding around the county, but is alerting residents of the potential for fallen trees which may continue to obstruct travel routes until removed.
Meanwhile, in Cork, where a Status Yellow rain alert expires at 9am this morning, the council confirmed that a Level 1 flood response – the least severe – remains in place in the east of the county.
It said further rainfall overnight may have led to “excess surface water and further flooding”, and that pumping arrangements are in place.
Gardaí advised motorists not to attempt to drive through heavily flooded sections of road, and asked pedestrians to avoid walking through what may initially appear to be shallow water due to the possibility of underwater hazards.
Ferry operator Stena Line confirmed that a number of ferries between Dublin and Holyhead were cancelled yesterday.
Routes will recommence “as soon as is safe to do so”, a spokesperson for the company said. Holyhead closed its port yesterday.
Dublin Airport reported no disruption due to the weather conditions yesterday. It advised passengers with queries on flight statuses to contact the relevant airline directly.
Leinster Rugby postponed all club games yesterday and advised clubs whose pitches are unplayable today to arrange to play the tie at the opponent’s grounds, if possible.
Met Éireann meteorologist Mark Bowe said conditions are set to stabilise.
“By Saturday morning, the front will essentially rain itself out.”
He added that today will remain quite cloudy with lighter outbreaks of rain this afternoon.
Further to the immediate threat to travelling conditions and residents of flood-hit areas affected by the storm, Mr Bowe said debris should also be a concern for drivers.
“Be mindful that travelling conditions will be extremely hazardous even after the rain drains because a lot of debris could get carried by the water. There are still plenty of leaves on the ground around the time of year as well which cause very tricky driving conditions as well.”
He confirmed that next week will be a bit more settled, but will feel “a lot cooler”, particularly during the night.
Met Éireann forecasts that next week’s weather will be simultaneously “colder than average” and “drier than average” on the whole, though a step up in rainfall may be likely on the east coast.
An Garda Síochána issued an advisory for those caught up in flooding in any of the counties caught up in the stormy weather.
Motorists should not to attempt to drive through heavily flooded sections of road, and pedestrians must avoid walking through what may initially appear as shallow water due to the possibility of underwater hazards, gardaí said.
