{"id":282451,"date":"2026-02-05T17:13:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T17:13:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/282451\/"},"modified":"2026-02-05T17:13:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T17:13:12","slug":"major-disruption-to-irish-rail-services-met-eireann-orange-and-yellow-weather-warnings-in-effect-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/282451\/","title":{"rendered":"Major disruption to Irish Rail services; Met \u00c9ireann orange and yellow weather warnings in effect \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Main pointsMet \u00c9ireann<\/a> has issued rain warnings for 13 counties today. In Dublin<\/a>, Louth<\/a>, Wicklow<\/a> and Waterford<\/a> orange warnings are in effect, while yellow warnings are in place for Carlow<\/a>, Cavan<\/a>, Kildare<\/a>, Kilkenny<\/a>, Laois<\/a>, Meath<\/a>, Wexford<\/a>, Monaghan<\/a> and Tipperary<\/a>The orange warnings will remain in place until 9am on Friday at the earliestAntrim<\/a>, Armagh<\/a>, Down<\/a>, Tyrone<\/a> and Derry<\/a> are also under Status Yellow rain warnings issued by the UK Met OfficeRail services are operating between Dart line between Bray\/Greystones and D\u00fan Laoghaire and Lansdowne and Howth\/Malahide only due to floodingRosslare services are operating with bus transfers between Dublin Connolly\/Bray and EnniscorthyPeople in Dublin, Louth, Wicklow and Waterford urged to work from home on Friday if possible<\/a>Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp<\/a> and stay up to date<\/p>\n

Glen Murphy – 2 minutes ago<\/p>\n

Some Wicklow river levels recede but others remain near full<\/p>\n

Wicklow County Council has advised that some rivers remain close to or above bank-full levels.<\/p>\n

Many have, however, begun to recede from such high levels.<\/p>\n

In a statement on Thursday evening, the council warned \u201cfurther heavy rainfall is likely to trigger additional flooding due to saturated ground conditions\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpring high tides, combined with strong winds and coastal surge have resulted in wave overtopping in the Wicklow Town Promenade, Bray Seafront and at Arklow\u2019s North Beach revetment. Coastal flooding could also occur in exposed areas. Members of the public are urged to stay away from these areas for their own safety.\u201d<\/p>\n

Glen Murphy – 7 minutes ago<\/p>\n

Harris and Doherty clash over flooding in D\u00e1il<\/p>\n

Marie O\u2019Halloran reports: T\u00e1naiste Simon Harris and Sinn F\u00e9in finance spokesman Pearse Doherty have been asked to behave with \u201ca bit of decorum\u201d after a heated row about flooding.<\/p>\n

Following testy exchanges between the two, with repeated interruptions and heckling, Leas-Cheann Comhairle John McGuinness remonstrated with both men.<\/p>\n

He said such behaviour was happening every Thursday morning and while deputies could make their point robustly, he reminded them that people were watching \u201cand suffering\u201d because of the floods, and were seeking and entitled to information.<\/p>\n

During ill-tempered exchanges, the T\u00e1naiste said that, to date, 14 businesses had applied for the newly increased flood financial support scheme worth up to \u20ac100,000 to individual firms, while 100 claims from homeowners for emergency assistance had been processed.<\/p>\n

Read the full story<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Glen Murphy – 12 minutes ago<\/p>\n

\u2018Very challenging week on the flooding front\u2019, says Taoiseach<\/p>\n

Cormac McQuinn reports: It has been \u201ca very challenging week on the flooding front\u201d and \u201cthe next two days will be critical and crucial for quite a number of locations\u201d, Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin has said.<\/p>\n

Speaking to reporters at the opening of new social homes in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, Martin said he appreciated the work and co-operation of county councils in ensuring that \u201cthose that are in the front line of flooding are getting supports and getting assistance to make sure that they can deal with what are very, very elevated levels of rainfall across the country, particularly in the southeast\u201d.<\/p>\n

He said they are rainfall levels \u201cthat we haven\u2019t experienced for quite, quite some time\u201d.<\/p>\n

On the response by Government and local authorities, Martin mentioned \u201cpositives\u201d and also areas where \u201cwe can improve\u201d.<\/p>\n

He said changing weather patterns in recent years are \u201cclearly caused by climate change\u201d and described Storm \u00c9owyn last year as \u201cthe worst on record\u201d.<\/p>\n

According to the Taoiseach there has been \u201cdiscernible progress\u201d since then on legislation to provide for clearing corridors near electricity infrastructure, the purchase of electricity generators and identifying community hubs to help in the response to future storms.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"TaoiseachTaoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin in a flood damaged home on Island Road, Co Wexford, on Monday. Photograph: Liam McBurney\/PA <\/p>\n

Separately, Martin said 56 flood relief schemes have been completed around the country and \u201cwe have about a hundred in different stages of development\u201d.<\/p>\n

He said that such schemes are \u201cparticularly complex\u201d and \u201cwe need to do more in terms of interim solutions\u201d and he spoke about \u201cinterim protections for areas that are low-lying or that are vulnerable to rivers bursting their banks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Martin said: \u201cthere are certain areas where we can improve, of that there is no doubt and I\u2019ve discussed this with local authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also said it has to be acknowledged that local authority workers have \u201cbeen out in the middle of the night\u201d doing \u201cextraordinary work\u201d.<\/p>\n

Martin said that in Carlow town council workers protected a \u201chuge\u201d housing estate.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cSo a lot of positives but yes of course we can improve in certain areas,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Glen Murphy – 23 minutes ago<\/p>\n

Some weather related power faults have been reported in Dublin and other areas, ESB have said. <\/p>\n

\u201cCrews are responding locally as and where these have occurred \u2013 and are working to restore power to any impacted customers as soon as possible,\u201d said press officer Graham King.<\/p>\n

He said such disruption is not unusual for this time of year and members of the public can find updates on powercheck.ie<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Glen Murphy – 56 minutes ago<\/p>\n

\"IrelandA driver saves their car at the last minute on a flooded Clontarf Road. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni \"AA man stands on a wall to keep dry on a flooded Clontarf Road in Dublin on Thursday. Photograph: Brian Lawless\/PA Wire \"BusesBuses make their way along the flooded Clontarf Road. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni <\/p>\n

Glen Murphy – 59 minutes ago<\/p>\n

Images and videos posted online this afternoon have shown high water levels in multiple areas across Dublin, including the seafront in Clontarf.<\/p>\n

Olivia Kelly wrote late last month<\/a>: Flood defences were planned for Clontarf after a previous inundation in 2002, but local objections stalled that project. The latest proposal for defences will not be built until 2033 \u201cif all goes well\u201d.<\/p>\n

Dart services are now operating between Bray\/Greystones and D\u00fan Laoghaire and between Lansdowne Road and Howth\/Malahide due to ongoing flooding of the tracks.<\/p>\n

Services to Rosslare are operating with bus transfers between Dublin Connolly and Bray to Enniscorthy.<\/p>\n

Irish Rail spokeswoman Jane Cregan said the operator\u2019s teams are on-site along the southeast monitoring water levels.<\/p>\n

Wicklow County Council has advised members of the public to avoid several areas in Bray due to strong winds and high tides.<\/p>\n

\u2018The entire garden was like a river\u2019<\/p>\n

Ronan McGreevy reports: Residents in the Woodside estate in Rathfarnham woke up on Tuesday morning last week to find a river of water flowing down their street.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Torrential rain, which fell on the previous Sunday and Monday, led to a blockage in a culvert adjacent to a stream which backs on to the Grange Golf Course.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Megan Scully, who lives in the house at the top of the estate and has part of the culvert in their back garden, witnessed the torrential rainfall. \u201cWe were in total shock. The entire garden was like a river, it was wild. The water flowed down the street for seven hours from early in the morning until midday. On the morning of the flood, there was no resources to give to us.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have been in constant contact with South Dublin County Council, they own the culvert. They have done a great job of coming out and checking to make sure the access is clear. There are seven houses and all the residents were trapped and couldn\u2019t get out.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Philip McDonagh, who lives near a council depot that was inundated with water, said two houses next to him were flooded. The water came up to their door, but went no further.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a constant flow. I woke up and I heard white noise and it wasn\u2019t wind. Some of the houses were inundated. I\u2019m hoping that the culverts have been cleared. If they are cleared, I\u2019m hoping that will be enough. This estate was built in the 1990s and nobody had seen flooding like that before.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Many of the homes now have sandbags outside them to prevent a repeat of last week\u2019s flooding with Dublin now on an orange level alert for rain.\u00a0<\/p>\n

At the bottom of Woodside is Dodder Park Road which also flooded and inundated homes in the area. The water from the Woodside estate flowed left into homes at the top of that road and caused significant flooding and damage to cars.<\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n

Waves crash over Blackrock Dart Station in Dublin. Video: Emmet Malone <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n

In Enniscorthy, Fianna F\u00e1il councillor Aidan Browne said: \u201cOne of the interim measures for flood relief is currently being installed at the Island Road. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a wall of one tonne of sand bags which is placed at back of the vulnerable houses to create a line of defence against flood waters [from the river Slaney].\u201d<\/p>\n

Sarah Slater reports: Wicklow County Council says sandbags are available for collection across all municipal districts. Stocks will be replenished throughout the day. <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n

Continuing rainfall will likely trigger more flooding, Waterford County Council says<\/p>\n

Waterford City and County Council said its severe weather management team met on Thursday morning. <\/p>\n

The National Emergency Co-Ordination Group said while rivers had receded from peak levels, levels remained close to or above bank-full conditions. <\/p>\n

The continuing rainfall would likely trigger more flooding, it said.<\/p>\n

The council is advising the public to stay away from the coast and follow the messaging of the Irish Coast Guard as there were concerns about coastal flooding and wave overtopping.<\/p>\n

Flood defence barriers will be activated in the following areas on Thursday evening:<\/p>\n

Waterford City \u2013 flood defence barriers will remain closed until after high tide passes on Friday morningPassage East \u2013 flood defence barriers will close this evening and will remain closed until high tide passes on Friday morning, with ground crews on site to monitor the situation<\/p>\n

The following car parks in Dungarvan will close from 7pm on Thursday until 10am on Friday due to flood risk:<\/p>\n

Davitt\u2019s QuayThe PondThe LookoutCastle Street Carpark<\/p>\n

Sandbags are available at Waterford City and County Council depots in Dungarvan, Carrickphierish, Tramore and Leperstown.<\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udea8Salthill DART Station\ud83d\udea8<\/p>\n

North & Southbound Services remain suspended between Lansdown Rd-Bray. <\/p>\n

Rosslare services affected by line closure above & between Enniscorthy-Wexford.<\/p>\n

Dublin Bus & Go Ahead will honour valid rail tickets in the affected areas. -AD #WeatherWatch<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/yLwCseLfnQ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Iarnr\u00f3d \u00c9ireann (@IrishRail) February 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 3 hours ago<\/p>\n

Some striking images from Irish Times photographer Dara Mac D\u00f3naill in Blackrock, south Dublin, on Thursday. <\/p>\n

\"WavesWaves crash over Blackrock dart station. \"WavesWaves crash over Blackrock dart station. \"WavesWaves crash over Blackrock dart station. \"WavesWaves crash over Blackrock dart station. <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 3 hours ago<\/p>\n

Much discussion around the current floods focused on predicting what rain was coming and where, but that still left the question of why it has been unrelentingly wet in the usually drier eastern half of the country.<\/p>\n

Caroline O\u2019Doherty writes<\/a>: For an answer to that, we have to look far above and beyond the clouds overhead. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s about \u201cclashes\u201d and \u201cbattlegrounds\u201d says Paul Moore, climatologist with Met \u00c9ireann, as the many forces that shape our weather collide and get knocked out of shape.<\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 3 hours ago<\/p>\n

People in Dublin, Louth, Wicklow and Waterford urged to work from home on Friday if they can <\/p>\n

Vivienne Clarke reports: The National Emergency Coordination Group is urging people in Dublin, Louth, Wicklow and Waterford to work from home on Friday if they can. <\/p>\n

Keith Leonard, chairperson of the group, said he expected roads would be \u201cheavily disrupted\u201d and there would be flooding.<\/p>\n

Speaking on RT\u00c9 Radio\u2019s News at One, Leonard said there would be difficult conditions in the coming days due to persistent, prolonged rainfall and high tides.<\/p>\n

The National Emergency Coordination Group met at noon on Thursday, he said, where they heard from local authorities in the affected areas about the preparations they had in place with temporary flood defences and sand bags and about their concerns about rising river water levels.<\/p>\n

\"WavesWaves crash over Blackrock dart station. <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 3 hours ago<\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 3 hours ago<\/p>\n

More rain to come next week, Met \u00c9ireann says<\/p>\n

Vivienne Clarke writes: Gerry Murphy, forecaster with Met \u00c9ireann, says there is more rain to come next week, but it should be on a different track across the county coming from the southwest across counties Cork, Kerry and Clare with less impact on south Leinster and the east coast.<\/p>\n

Speaking on RT\u00c9 Radio\u2019s News at One, Murphy said rainfall had spread to all of the country, but it was heaviest in the east on Thursday. <\/p>\n

The problem was this rainfall would be prolonged and there was a concern about the levels that could fall on the Wicklow Mountains where there are no gauges, he said.<\/p>\n

Fortunately any rise in river levels this time will be gradual over 36 hours, rather than six hours as happened last week.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the short term the worst will be behind us by tomorrow,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

There will be sunny spells and scattered showers over the weekend with more rain pushing in from the southwest next week.<\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 3 hours ago<\/p>\n

\u2018I hope we\u2019re better prepared this time\u2019, south Dublin resident says <\/p>\n

Ronan McGreevy reports: Residents on Dodder Park Road in south Dublin are bracing themselves for further potential flooding this evening.<\/p>\n

An orange weather alert for rain is in place for Dublin from midday on Thursday until 3pm on Friday. <\/p>\n

Last week, the river Dodder flooded and caused considerable damage to homes and cars in the area. <\/p>\n

Dublin City Council has now provided sandbags to local homes. <\/p>\n

Aoife Mulhern and Cathal Tracey woke up after the flooding on the night of January 26th and 27th to find their cars submerged in water. The cars have been taken away for insurance assessment. <\/p>\n

Like many residents in the Riverbank apartments they now have sandbags outside the door of their bottom floor apartment. <\/p>\n

A pallet of sandbags have been left out for residents. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m assuming that they have done a better job on the drains in anticipation of what is to come given what happened last week,\u201d Cathal Tracey says. <\/p>\n

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said \u201cwe are all dreading\u201d the rains that is forecast. <\/p>\n

The water came in the threshold of his home and his front door now has sandbags covering it. <\/p>\n

\u201cI hope we are better prepared this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 4 hours ago<\/p>\n

The weir on River Dodder at the Dropping Well in Milltown at lunchtime. The Dodder burst its banks last week and flooded the park beside it and the pub car park. pic.twitter.com\/EWd3wa1yX8<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ronan McGreevy (@RMcGreevy1301) February 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 4 hours ago<\/p>\n

Rail services suspended at some Dublin and Wexford stations <\/p>\n

Irish Rail says services are suspended between Lansdowne Road and Bray until further notice due to flooding at various locations. <\/p>\n

\u201cStaff are on site monitoring. Dublin Bus & Go Ahead will honour valid rail tickets in the affected areas,\u201d it says. <\/p>\n

Services are also not operating between Enniscorthy and Wexford until further notice due to flooding.<\/p>\n

Update: Services are suspended between Lansdown Rd-Bray-Lansdown Rd until further notice due to flooding at various locations. Staff are on site monitoring. Dublin Bus & Go Ahead will honour valid rail tickets in the affected areas. -AD https:\/\/t.co\/Aedye8mlyf<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Iarnr\u00f3d \u00c9ireann (@IrishRail) February 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

How to get information on flooding risks<\/p>\n

Met \u00c9ireann<\/a> is a good place to begin. The forecaster\u2019s website, met.ie<\/a>, provides national and regional forecasts. You can also get the state of play at your nearest weather station.<\/p>\n

Its app is better as it provides more localised information and a look-ahead to the next five days. You can set it to default to your area or zoom in on a map to any location. <\/p>\n

However, it does not give detailed information about river levels or ground conditions.<\/p>\n

So how do I know that? The OPW maintains waterlevel.ie<\/a> with real-time data on river levels being fed in from a network of hydrometric stations with gauges at key points along each river. You can zoom in on a map, pick a station and get charts showing current water levels and past water levels.Most local authorities use the mapalerter.ie<\/a> website and app to send notices to individuals about issues in their area but you have to sign up for it. Then you\u2019ll get notices via text message, app notification and\/or email. <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 4 hours ago<\/p>\n

Afternoon Weather Update\ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n

Wet & breezy today with widespread outbreaks of rain, heaviest in the southeast & east and with flooding likely in places\u2614\ufe0f\u26a0\ufe0f<\/p>\n

Highs of 5 to 10\u00b0C, with fresh winds increasing strong to gale force along the east coast<\/p>\n

Warnings\ud83d\udd3dhttps:\/\/t.co\/lvQFgW9biq<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/QIv3xdNVej<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Met \u00c9ireann (@MetEireann) February 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 4 hours ago<\/p>\n

Martin Wall reports: The chairman of the Public Accounts Committee John Brady said in some years up to \u20ac7 million was allocated by the Exchequer to the Department of Housing, OPW and Met \u00c9ireann for the planned national flood warning service. <\/p>\n

However, he said in some years only about \u20ac1m had been spent. <\/p>\n

Brady said the committee would seek details on the issue from the agencies concerned at a hearing scheduled for next month. <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 5 hours ago<\/p>\n

Some bus services may experience delays or disruptions due to weather <\/p>\n

Dublin Bus has said due to current weather conditions, some services may experience delays or disruptions. <\/p>\n

\u201cCustomer safety remains our priority and services will operate subject to conditions,\u201d it said. <\/p>\n

\u201cPlease allow extra travel time and check for updates before travelling.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 5 hours ago<\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 5 hours ago<\/p>\n

\"AA broken traffic light is being fixed at Mountjoy Square as orange and yellow rain warnings are in place for several counties – with Met \u00c9ireann again warning of flooding. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni\/The Irish Times \"TouristsTourists gather at the gates of Trinity as orange and yellow rain warnings are in place for several counties – with Met \u00c9ireann again warning of flooding. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni\/The Irish Times <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 5 hours ago<\/p>\n

Parts of Newbridge and Clane remain at increased risk of flooding, says Kildare County Council <\/p>\n

Kildare County Council has warned that parts of Newbridge and Clane remain at an increased risk of flooding due to their proximity to the river Liffey. <\/p>\n

The county is under a status yellow rain warning until 9am tomorrow.<\/p>\n

In a statement on local radio station Kfm, the county council said: \u201cThis additional expected rainfall on already saturated ground, combined with high river levels and high tides increases the risk of localised flooding, river flooding and difficult travel conditions.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, many rivers remain close to or above bank-full conditions and additional rainfall in the coming days could trigger localised flooding, in flood prone areas, given current ground and river conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n

The council added that its severe weather assessment team is meeting daily and is working with other agencies through the National Emergency Coordination Group.<\/p>\n

\u201cKildare County Council crews are working hard on the ground, monitoring conditions on a 24-hour basis, carrying out all necessary flood preparation works and have already deployed sandbags to a number of areas, as a precaution,\u201d it added. <\/p>\n

\u201cAdditional sandbags will be deployed to any at-risk areas, as required. However, no properties have been affected or deemed to be at immediate risk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 5 hours ago<\/p>\n

The Malahide Road near Saint Doolagh’s Park, Dublin 17 is currently closed.<\/p>\n

Motorists are advised to avoid the area. Local diversions are in place. pic.twitter.com\/xrMqgZ9UaI<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (@GardaTraffic) February 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 5 hours ago<\/p>\n

A yellow rain warning has also been issued for Meath, which runs from noon on Thursday until 6pm on Friday. <\/p>\n

The orange rain warning for Dublin and Wicklow has been extended until 3pm on Friday. <\/p>\n

The UK Met Office has issued a yellow rain warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Tyrone and Derry from noon on Thursday until midnight on Friday. <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 5 hours ago<\/p>\n

Orange rain warning issued for Louth <\/p>\n

An orange rain warning has just been issued for Louth by Met \u00c9ireann. The warning runs from noon on Thursday until 6pm on Friday. <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 6 hours ago<\/p>\n

Council optimistic Wexford town will avoid \u2018extensive\u2019 flooding <\/p>\n

Brendan Furlong reports: High tide in Wexford has passed and because the wind has swung northeast, it appears the worst has passed in the town.<\/p>\n

High tide passed at 9.18am and Wexford County Council is \u201coptimistic\u201d Wexford town will avoid \u201cextensive flooding\u201d.<\/p>\n

The council\u2019s chief executive Eddie Taaffe said the river levels in Enniscorthy have dropped steadily over the last number of days.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are concerned, given the level of rainfall that\u2019s predicted in the Wicklow Mountains over the next 24 hours,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cSo we do remain on alert in Enniscorthy and we have additional temporary defences that we can bring into Enniscorthy and establish quite quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added that they have \u2018aquadams\u2019 ready to deploy if required.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn \u2018aquadam\u2019 is essentially, a long, thin balloon that you pump up with water quickly and it protects from about a metre of water and they can be put up very quickly along areas prone to flooding,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe won\u2019t deploy them until later on, until we see what happens to the river level in the Slaney over the next 24 to 48 hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 6 hours ago<\/p>\n

Sarah Slater reports: In Co Wexford, burst water mains in Kilmore are affecting the village, nearby Bridgetown, Tomhaggart and surrounding areas.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorks are [expected] to be completed this evening. Pressure should return soon after,\u201d said local Aont\u00fa councillor Jim Codd.<\/p>\n

Waterford Sinn F\u00e9in TD David Cullinane said that financial resources made available for Waterford shows the town and county lags way behind Cork, Limerick, Galway, Kilkenny and many more counties over the last five years. <\/p>\n

\u201cLikewise in funding for harbours and piers where Waterford received the lowest allocation,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n

Cullinane said that Waterford ranks 22nd out of 24 counties for Office of Public Works (OPW) major flood relief funding.<\/p>\n

Over six years, Waterford received just \u20ac240,000, the Sinn F\u00e9in TD claimed.<\/p>\n

Cork received \u20ac115 million, Limerick \u20ac37m, Galway \u20ac13m, Kilkenny \u20ac4m, 17 times more than Waterford.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis neglect is unacceptable. Waterford deserves fair funding and real flood protection,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 6 hours ago<\/p>\n

RSA says people in Dublin, Wicklow and Waterford should avoid driving today<\/p>\n

David Martin, senior public relations manager with the Road Safety Authority (RSA), has called on people in the Dublin, Wicklow and Waterford areas to avoid driving today if they can.<\/p>\n

Speaking on RT\u00c9 Radio\u2019s Today with David McCullagh show, Martin added: \u201cIf you have to do your journey, give yourself some extra time, it\u2019s going to take a little bit longer. I suppose the most important message is for drivers to slow down and allow greater braking distance between themselves and the vehicle in front in these very wet weather conditions.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt can take more than twice as long to stop your car in these wet conditions, so give yourself twice as much space between yourself and the car in front, that\u2019s our advice. It\u2019s very important to do so on high speed roads such as dual carriageways or motorways where there is an increased danger of aquaplaning. <\/p>\n

\u201cThen of course take special care when you\u2019re driving behind vehicles, heavy goods vehicles as they generate a huge amount of spray and that reduces your visibility, so to hold back on that and give yourself the extra bit of space.\u201d<\/p>\n

Martin\u2019s advice for drivers on flooded roads was not to attempt to drive through the water. <\/p>\n

\u201cFlooded roads can frequently appear shallow, but they\u2019re more often than not deeper than you might think. So as well as that the grass verge may have subsided, there may also be trees, branches and other debris in there and that they wouldn\u2019t be visible. So you just need to take extreme care, turn around, use your satellite GPS, use your phone, find another route and avoid those flooded roads.<\/p>\n

\u201cMotorists should also obey instructions from any local authority staff on the roads. If there are signs saying to avoid a route, then do that and find an alternative route.\u201d<\/p>\n

His advice for cyclists and pedestrians was to make sure to be visible. <\/p>\n

\u201cVisibility is very much reduced at the moment, so wear your high viz. clothing if you have it and if you\u2019re a cyclist, use your lights front and back all day today, it\u2019s gonna be difficult,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n

\"TheThe RSA has urged people in Dublin, Waterford and Wicklow not to drive on Thursday. Photograph: Alan Betson <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 6 hours ago<\/p>\n

Funding for national flood forecasting warning service was not spent, TDs told<\/p>\n

Martin Wall reports: Funding allocated over recent years for a National Flood Forecasting Warning Service was not spent, the Comptroller and Auditor General Seamus McCarthy has told the D\u00e1il Public Accounts Committee. <\/p>\n

Committee chairman John Brady of Sinn F\u00e9in said millions of euro for such a project had been handed back to the Exchequer.<\/p>\n

The committee is to seek details from the Department of Housing and the Office of Public Works. <\/p>\n

The Department of Housing has been approached for comment. <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 6 hours ago<\/p>\n

Significant rain anticipated in Enniscorthy, says council chief <\/p>\n

Vivienne Clarke reports: Wexford County Council\u2019s chief executive Eddie Taaffe has given an update on the situation in Wexford on RT\u00c9 Radio\u2019s David McCullagh show. <\/p>\n

The aqua dam in Wexford Harbour contained the morning\u2019s high tide.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe escaped, but only just. Another 100mm and it could have been bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thursday evening\u2019s high tide will be slightly lower, he said. The focus will now turn to Enniscorthy where significant rain is anticipated, he added. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s unrelenting at this stage … It\u2019s never ending, we\u2019re building temporary defences in Enniscorthy.\u201d <\/p>\n

Where water levels are now three metres lower than they were at peak flooding last week but the anticipated rain on the WicklWicklow Mountainsld have a significant impact\u201d on Enniscorthy, he warned.<\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 6 hours ago<\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 7 hours ago<\/p>\n

Sarah Slater reports: In Waterford, high tide has passed in the city and county, and the flood defence barriers have been effective.<\/p>\n

Council ground crews remain on site monitoring the situation.<\/p>\n

With a tidal surge forecast which will result in tide levels higher than the natural tide levels, flood defence barriers have been activated in Waterford city and will remain closed until after high tide passes on Friday at 8.30am.<\/p>\n

In Passage East the council also activated flood barriers on Wednesday night and will remain closed until high tide passes on Thursday.<\/p>\n

An Aqua Dam has been put in place in Wexford town along the quay area which is aimed to protect other towns and villages such as Enniscorthy which was badly flooded last week as was Bridgetown.<\/p>\n

In Wexford town Labour TD George Lawlor said that the flooding situation \u201clooks bad with just under one hour to go to high tide but we should be okay from the point of view of flooding\u201d.<\/p>\n

In Kilkenny, the council has made sandbags available at various locations across the county including Graiguenamanagh, Inistioge, Thomastown, Callan, Freshford, Castlecomer, Gowran, Johnstown and Ballyragget.<\/p>\n

At the Newrath, Rathkieran, The Sweep and Gaol road depots in Kilkenny city.<\/p>\n

Laois County Council is monitoring rising water levels in the river Barrow which runs through the towns of Portarlington and Mountmellick.<\/p>\n

In St Mullins, Co Carlow which was badly flooded last Friday, Martin O\u2019Brien who owns the local Mullichain cafe said he is \u201csitting here again this morning watching the rising tides and thinking about [those who have objected] and blocked all maintenance of the river Barrow. It is about time that the Government put a stop to their antics.\u201d<\/p>\n

The river Barrow has not been dredged in the area due to a rare whorly snail having its habitat located there. <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 7 hours ago<\/p>\n

Last month second wettest January on record in Dublin<\/p>\n

Met \u00c9ireann have said that last month was the second wettest January on record in Co Dublin, behind 1948.<\/p>\n

The forecaster\u2019s monthly climate statement said 141mm rainfall was recorded at the Phoenix Park, some 225 per cent of the long-term average (LTA), and 137.7mm was recorded at Dublin Airport, 223 per cent of the LTA.<\/p>\n

Nationally, the report notes, it was the wettest January since 2018 and 18th wettest on record, with the average amount of rain recorded representing 123 per cent of the LTA.<\/p>\n

Johnstown Castle in Co Wexford was the wettest station this month, with 232.7mm of rain (230 per cent of its LTA) recorded, making it the wettest January since 1996. A total of 37.3mm of rain fell at Johnstown Castle last Friday, the wettest January day there since 1979.<\/p>\n

\"SandymountSandymount Strand in Dublin where barriers were erected and sandbags located to combat the high tides on Tuesday and guard against flooding in the area. Photograph: Bryan O\u2019Brien <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 7 hours ago<\/p>\n

Irish Rail has said some services through Connolly station in Dublin may experience delays of around 10 minutes this morning due to congestion on the network through the city centre. <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 8 hours ago<\/p>\n

Waterford County Council says it has concerns about road flooding <\/p>\n

Gabriel Hines, director of services at Waterford City and County Council, said there are barriers in place at Passage East and Waterford City which are \u201cworking effectively\u201d. <\/p>\n

\u201cIn Dungarvan, in our coastal car parks, some flooding there but we had closed them overnight so we\u2019ve no significant issues there either,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cLater in the day our difficulty will be similar to Wicklow. We\u2019re going to get significant rainfall, particularly in the Comeragh Mountains. Again, saturated ground, swollen rivers. Again similar to Wicklow, we\u2019re expecting localised spot flooding on our road network.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe could get some streams overflowing and some river flooding. We would have significant concern in relation to road flooding, in the rivers in particular, feeding off the Comeragh mountains, where we predicted very high intensity rainfall. I think the rivers that are coming from the Comeragh Mountains will be the ones that we could get spot flooding on the local network today. <\/p>\n

\u201cHaving said that, given the saturated grounds, anywhere we get a high rainfall intensity today, there\u2019s a possibility of the small streams overflowing causing localised spot flooding on the road network. When you\u2019re driving, slow down, expect water on the road network, allow extra time for your journey, extra stopping site distance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 8 hours ago<\/p>\n

Wicklow County Council says it is preparing for flooding <\/p>\n

Michael Flynn, senior engineer with Wicklow County Council, said its crews are all \u201con alert\u201d and preparing for flooding. <\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve been working over the last number of days clearing debris from the last flood event and getting in place measures such as deploying sandbags to areas prone to flooding,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got all our crews ready and available to assist as and where necessary. The areas that traditionally have been prone to flooding have been Aughrim, which had the flooding event last week. Arklow again with the combination of river flooding but we also have high tides and significant onshore winds so the entire coastal regions again we have crews on standby in those locations.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s been very significant damage to our road network, structural damage. So we have road closures in place across the county and we would urge people, if they are making journeys, to check the weather conditions and also check on our social media platforms for notifications of those closures. Above all, we would ask people to heed the warning signs. Those road closures are in place to protect the public from the hazards that exist on those sections.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 8 hours ago<\/p>\n

Dublin City Council monitoring river levels and coastal conditions closely<\/p>\n

Dublin City Council said its flood management team is continuing to respond to \u201congoing adverse weather conditions and related impacts\u201d.<\/p>\n

The local authority is monitoring river levels and coastal conditions closely, to ensure appropriate responses as required, it said. <\/p>\n

\u201cDublin City Council are in regular contact with the National Emergency Coordination Group on all aspects of recent weather events.\u201d<\/p>\n

Car parks along coasts at Sandymount and Clontarf remain closed to protect against possible wave overtopping. The cycle lane at Clontarf will remain closed as a precautionary measure.<\/p>\n

Eden Quay boardwalk will also remain closed as a precautionary measure. The flood gates along the river Dodder will remain closed until further notice. <\/p>\n

\u201cOur crews remain active across the city, making arrangements for possible events and responding to issues as they arise,\u201d it added. <\/p>\n

\u201cCrews removal of debris at rivers racks and blockage clearing is ongoing to minimise negative impacts.\u201d <\/p>\n

The council said it maintains a limited supply of sandbags at strategic locations for use in response to identified flooding risks. <\/p>\n

\u201cThese resources are deployed by the council where required, with priority given to critical infrastructure and locations assessed as being at immediate risk.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"RainRain in Dublin City centre on Tuesday.
\nPhotograph: Dara Mac D\u00f3naill <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 8 hours ago<\/p>\n

Parts of Dublin will be most at risk of flooding, says forecaster <\/p>\n

Vivienne Clarke reports: Weather warnings for Dublin will be yellow from 9am to noon on Thursday after which they will be orange until midday on Friday, senior Met \u00c9ireann forecaster Gerry Murphy has said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is because the higher impacts will occur from noon onwards,\u201d he told RT\u00c9 Radio\u2019s Morning Ireland. <\/p>\n

\u201cNow the reason Dublin has been added in is because with Wicklow it was always considered that there would be very high totals in the mountainous higher levels which would then activate responses in quick responding rivers, which would then have a knock-on effect further at lower levels.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it does look like those higher totals are going to extend not only to Wicklow, but also into South Dublin as well. So the higher regions, the Dublin Mountains and parts of Dublin that have flooded recently will also be the most at risk of flooding over the next 24 to 36 hours.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really the southern half of Dublin that this orange warning refers to simply because the higher ground is in South Dublin in conjunction with the Wicklow Mountains so those impacts that may occur with Wicklow, South Dublin mountains may have a knock-on effect at lower levels over the southern half of Dublin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Murphy acknowledged that not all the areas impacted last week will experience the same conditions on Thursday and Friday. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt may not affect all of them in the same way but nonetheless those are the areas that will be most at risk of flooding and I must say as well people should be aware that this is actually going to be a lot of consistent persistent rain.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe rain will start off around midmorning and it\u2019s really going to continue right the way through the rest of today, right the way through tonight and right up until tomorrow afternoon. So it\u2019s going to be very wet really. It may not be raining heavily all of the time but it will be very wet really from mid- morning right the way through to tomorrow afternoon.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be steady rain, sometimes light, sometimes heavy, but at the higher levels in the Wicklow Mountains, Dublin Mountains, where the rainfall amounts will be higher.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SandymountSandymount strand in South Co Dublin where barriers were erected and sandbags located to combat the high tides on Tuesday and guard against flooding in the area. Photograph: Bryan O\u2019Brien <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 8 hours ago<\/p>\n

Today will start off mainly dry. Rain developing in the SE early this morning & gradually spreading NW-wards to all areas by mid afternoon, heaviest the SE & E with flooding likely in places. Fresh easterly winds increasing strong to gale force along the E coast.
Highs of 5-10 C pic.twitter.com\/ItKGhslS1N<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Met \u00c9ireann (@MetEireann) February 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 9 hours ago<\/p>\n

Wexford County Council says it has been monitoring the tide throughout the night <\/p>\n

The chief executive of Wexford County Council, Eddie Taaffe, has spoken of preparations by the local authority for the severe weather warnings for the east coast of the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re still about 2\u00bd hours away from a high tide in Wexford harbour,\u201d he told RT\u00c9\u2019s Morning Ireland, Vivienne Clarke reports. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been monitoring the tide throughout the night and the indications are at the moment that while we\u2019ll have a very, very high tide around nine o\u2019clock with a gale force eight, easterly wind pushing it into the harbour.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose our estimate at this stage is that while we will have limited wave overtopping, that our defences will be able to cope with that.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re optimistic that we won\u2019t have extensive flooding in Wexford Town. So, it\u2019s looking reasonably good at this stage in the harbour.<\/p>\n

\u201cRiver levels in Enniscorthy have dropped steadily over the last number of days, but I suppose we are concerned given the level of rainfall that\u2019s predicted in the Wicklow Mountains over the next 24 hours. So we do remain on alert in Enniscorthy and we have additional temporary defences that we can bring into Enniscorthy and establish quite quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Taaffe explained that an aqua dam is available, which is \u201cessentially a long, thin balloon that you pump up with water quite quickly and it protects from about a metre of water and they can be put up very quickly along areas that are prone to flooding\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo we do have those available to us and we can roll those out quite quickly. We won\u2019t deploy them until later on until we see what happens to the river level in the Slaney over the next 24 to 48 hours,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n

\"MetMet \u00c9ireann’s Gerry Murphy says rain in the Dublin mountains could have a kock-on effect at lower levels in the south of the city and county. Photograph: Enda O\u2019Dowd <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 9 hours ago<\/p>\n

\u2018It is going to be a very, very wet day,\u2019 says Met \u00c9ireann<\/p>\n

Vivienne Clarke reports: Senior forecaster with Met \u00c9ireann Gerry Murphy has warned Thursday \u201cis going to be a very, very wet day\u201d, with rain continuing to fall until midafternoon on Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is going to be a lot of consistent, persistent rain\u201d he added, but the rain will arrive more slowly than anticipated.<\/p>\n

Speaking on both Newstalk Breakfast and RT\u00c9 Radio\u2019s Morning Ireland, Murphy also cautioned that the rain, particularly in the Dublin mountains, is going to have a \u201cknock-on\u201d effect at lower levels in areas such as Shankill and Rathfarnham and other parts of south Co Dublin.<\/p>\n

This weather regime is going to continue on Thursday, Friday and over the weekend, with a further band next week, he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce this rain does get started this morning it\u2019s actually going to continue right the way through the rest of the day overnight and through tomorrow morning as well. So there\u2019s going to be rain where basically it\u2019s just going to continue raining from once it starts midmorning and then basically it\u2019s just rain, rain until maybe midafternoon tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Murphy also pointed out that the timings of the warnings have been pushed back as the rain front is moving more slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople should check Met.ie<\/a> for exact timings on the warnings as they all have been pushed back by a few hours,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Rainfall in the Wicklow Mountains will have the effect of \u201cactivating some very responsive rivers and streams in the mountains, which then will have a knock-on effect as it flows down to lower levels. But it does look like those heavier, those more significant high rainfall totals will also encroach into the Dublin mountains and parts of South Dublin.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause as has been well documented at this stage the river levels are very high, the tides are high, the ground is saturated so moderate amounts of rainfall can and probably will cause flooding in some places, but this is actually going to be a very wet day.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce this rain does get started this morning, it\u2019s actually going to continue right the way through the rest of the day overnight and through tomorrow morning as well. So there\u2019s going to be rain where basically it\u2019s just going to continue raining from once it starts midmorning and then basically it\u2019s just rain, rain until maybe midafternoon tomorrow. <\/p>\n

\u201cThen it\u2019s a question of how much damage that causes with regard to flooding of rivers of local areas, really across the east and southeast of the country, but those look like there will be the highest amounts pushing in over Co Waterford from about 9am that\u2019s why Waterford is in an orange warning as well. As I said, Wicklow and Dublin especially the higher ground but with the knock-on effects to lower levels across Wicklow, and especially the southern half of and then yellow level warnings extending on up then into Louth, Monaghan and Cavan as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"BravingBraving the rain beside the Liffey in Dublin this week. Photograph: Enda O\u2019Dowd <\/p>\n

Sarah Burns – 9 hours ago<\/p>\n

A number of status orange and yellow rainfall warnings have been issued for counties across the State, with heavy rain and flooding likely in parts, according to Met \u00c9ireann.<\/p>\n

The national forecaster issued a status orange alert for Waterford, where spells of heavy rain falling on saturated ground, combined with high river levels and tides, will lead to localised flooding, river flooding and difficult travel conditions. That alert is valid from 9am on Thursday for 24 hours.<\/p>\n

A second status orange alert affects counties Dublin and Wicklow, where heavy rain is also predicted to cause flooding and difficult travel conditions, is valid from noon on Thursday until noon on Friday. These counties are also under a status yellow weather warning, from 9am on Thursday until noon, when the orange alert begins.<\/p>\n

Status yellow rain warnings have been issued for counties Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Wexford and Tipperary, lasting for 24 hours from 9am on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Another status yellow warning, beginning at noon on Thursday, affects counties Cavan, Monaghan and Louth, and is in place until noon on Friday. <\/p>\n

Follow irishtimes.com<\/a> for updates throughout the day. <\/p>\n

\"EdenEden Quay in Dublin this week, where high tides and persistent rain led to flood barriers being erected. Photograph: Enda O\u2019Dowd