National Emergency Co-ordination Group says Dublin, Wicklow, Louth and Waterford are key pinch points
Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1, Keith Leonard, Director of Fire and Emergency Management and chairperson of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG), said the group met with local authorities at midday.
He said: “We heard from local authorities about preparations that are being put in place in terms of temporary flood defences, providing sandbags and really monitoring river levels now very closely.
“Obviously, Dublin, Louth and Waterford are kind of key pinch points in the coming next 24 to 48 hours.
“But unfortunately, with high tides, surface flooding and river levels, we’re really seeing difficult conditions for the foreseeable number of days.”
Mr Leonard also said Wicklow is another concern for the NECG.
“One of the things we would ask people, if anyone has the discretion to work from home tomorrow, I think it would be useful if they could do that.
“That will free up a little bit of space, because we think that roads will be fairly heavily disrupted in those areas from tomorrow.
“But local authorities are on standby and colleagues as well in the Red Cross and the Department of Social Protection are on the ground in areas already affected by flooding and will be available if any areas are flooded tomorrow, Friday or Saturday.”
Sarah O’Mahony