Some of worst-hit flooded areas bracing for ‘very heavy rain’

Parts of Ireland are likely to experience more flooding, with spells of further heavy rain on Thursday and Friday.

Weather warnings have been issued for 13 counties, with the worst impacts projected for Waterford, Wicklow and south Dublin – which were among the areas most severely affected by recent flooding.

Met Eireann said spells of “very heavy rain” will be falling on “already saturated ground”.

This, combined with high river levels and high tides, is likely to lead to localised flooding and river flooding as well as difficult travel conditions.

The National Emergency Co-ordination Group met on Wednesday and warned of “another challenging phase”.

Local authority teams have been deploying sandbags, clearing drains and carrying out other flood prevention works.

The Government has offered financial supports for homes and businesses affected by recent flooding.

Following recent rainfall, many rivers are at or above bank-full levels.

Meanwhile, strong onshore winds and storm surge will increase the risk of wave overtopping and coastal flooding.

A status orange rain warning for Waterford was put in place between 9am on Thursday and 9am on Friday.

A separate orange warning for Wicklow and Dublin will last from midday on Thursday to noon on Friday.

This is on top of a yellow warning for the areas starting on 9am on Thursday and expiring at the same time as the orange alert.

A separate status yellow warning for rain is also in place for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Wexford and Tipperary from 9am on Thursday until 9am on Friday.

Cavan, Louth, Meath and Monaghan are also under a status yellow warning for rain between midday on both days.

Further rain is projected next week.