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Weather warnings<\/p>\nSeries of Status Orange and Yellow warnings in placeCoast Guard has asked public to stay away from waterways and exposed coastal areasSome schools close today as flooding may affect transport\n<\/p>\n
Follow the Irish Independent\u2019s liveblog:<\/p>\n
Key updates<\/p>\n
People rescued from cars as motorists advised not to drive through flooded roads<\/p>\n
Met \u00c9ireann brings weather warnings forward\u00a0<\/p>\n
LATEST: More homes and businesses at risk as flood threat to peak this morning Series of Status Orange and Yellow warnings in place Coast Guard has asked public to stay away from waterways and exposed coastal areas Some schools may close today as flooding may affect transport The threat of flooding is set to peak this morning, with road networks expected to bear the brunt of the deluge. However, damage to residential and commercial properties is also likely, emergency services have warned. With Dublin, Louth, Waterford and Wexford under \u00adStatus Orange rain warnings, people in those counties have been urged to work from home in order to keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles. With Dublin, Louth, Waterford and Wexford under \u00adStatus Orange rain warnings, people in those counties have been urged to work from home in order to keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles. A total of 80mm of rain is expected to fall in a 36-hour period, meaning some parts of Leinster will have received more than 210mm of rainfall in the space of just 11 days. Garda\u00ed and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) warned that driving conditions would be potentially dangerous in some areas of Munster, Leinster and south Ulster today because of widespread flooding. Motorists have been urged to postpone all non-essential journeys in Orange areas. Water Safety Ireland and the Coast Guard have asked people to avoid waterways and exposed coastal areas. Flooding also hit the rail network with Dart services suspended between Lansdowne Road and Bray, while bus transfers are operating between Enniscorthy and Wexford where the line has been temporarily closed. Dublin, Waterford, Wicklow and Louth are now the focus of major flood fears, with particular concern at the rising level of the River Liffey. The ESB, which warned that water releases may be necessary because of the surging level of the Poulaphouca reservoir, is liaising with the National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) in a bid to minimise downstream flooding in Kildare and Dublin. Councils have said the problem is exacerbated by high spring tides and a lingering storm surge. A total of 13 counties remain under Orange or Yellow rainfall alerts. A number of schools in Leinster closed early yesterday or will postpone opening today amid concerns over the impact of flooding on peak school transport times. NECG chairperson Keith Leonard said prolonged showers in Dublin, Waterford, Wicklow and Louth have fallen on already saturated river valleys. Mr Leonard appealed to people to work from home in flood-threatened areas today if possible to ease traffic volumes and pressure on emergency services. \u201cOne of the things we would ask people is that, if they have the discretion to work from home, it would be useful if they could do so. Roads are going to be very heavily disrupted in some areas on Friday,\u201d he said. \u201cI think we are going to see a lot of flooding across roads and, unfortunately, some residential properties and business premises being impacted as well.” Bus and rail services also face being affected. Farm groups are warning that thousands of acres of farmland are now under floodwaters, as the Slaney, Nore, Suir, Barrow, Blackwater and Liffey rivers broke their banks. Emergency flood defence systems including aqua dams, flood gates, high-powered water pumps and sandbags were deployed in the main flood-threatened towns and cities including Waterford, Dungarvan, Passage, Enniscorthy, Wexford, Arklow, Bray, Dublin and parts of Louth. Flood gates will remain shut along the River Dodder. Four counties were placed under Status Orange warnings because of heavy rainfall and the threat of flooding. Waterford will remain under an Orange alert until 9am today Dublin and Wicklow will have an Orange rainfall in place until 3pm today Louth will remain under an Orange warning until 6pm today Nine other counties are covered by Yellow rainfall warnings The yellow warnings will be lifted for Tipperary, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois and Wexford at 9am today The Yellow alert will remain in place for Monaghan, Cavan and Louth until 6pm today Heavy rainfall over Northern Ireland also prompted the UK Met Office to issue Yellow warnings for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Derry and Tyrone. Travel conditions are expected to prove challenging into tomorrow. Met \u00c9ireann’s Gerry Murphy said the concern over the rainfall was because of its prolonged nature rather than its intensity. He said greatest concern was focused on Wexford, Wicklow, Dublin, Waterford and Louth where the most concentrated rainfall fell yesterday and overnight. \u201cIt is a prolonged spell of persistent rain all the way through Thursday and into Friday. The concern in terms of impact is that because the rainfall is prolonged the totals will mount up,\u201d Mr Murphy said. A view of Salthill and Monkstown Dart Station yesterday, which was completely flooded as high winds and a high tide affected the coastal rail line. Photo: Damien Storan \u201cThe concern is over the impact it will have on already saturated ground and swollen river systems.\u201d While Ireland will get a brief respite from the rainfall over the weekend, further rainfall is expected next week as another Atlantic weather front moves toward the country. \u201cThere is more rainfall coming next week, but the hope is that it won’t follow the same track over the south-east and east as over recent days,\u201d Mr Murphy said. One Wexford weather station, Johnstown Castle, has recorded the wettest three-month period for almost a century. A total of 652.5mm of rainfall was recorded, the highest figure for 85 years. Rainfall for January was 230pc above normal averages in some parts of the south-east. Dublin recorded its second wettest January since 1948. Ralph Riegel<\/p>\n
PICTURES AND VIDEO: Dublin DART lines and Wexford train line hit by severe flooding<\/p>\n
Aqua Dam deployed to Wexford as county braces for more flooding<\/p>\n
Weather warnings<\/p>\n
Met \u00c9ireann has issued changes to Orange and Yellow warnings this morning as flood threat peaks and travel disruption hits\u00a0<\/p>\n
Where: Status Orange – Rain warning for Louth
When: Valid until 12pm<\/p>\n
Where: Status Yellow – Rain warning for Cavan, Monaghan, Dublin, Meath
When: Valid until 12pm<\/p>\n
Some schools closed and tankers sent to flooded housing estates in Co Louth<\/p>\n
Crews from Louth County Council are responding to a number of areas in Dundalk that are flooded following extreme rainfall overnight.<\/p>\n
Tankers have been sent\u00a0 to housing estates including Cluan Enda, Bay Estate and Blackwater Court, which have been flooded once again, although the water levels aren’t as high as they were after Storm Chandra.<\/p>\n
Cllr Robert Nash, Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Municipal District said the town “seems to have got away relatively unscathed this time” noting that other areas that had been impacted previously were unaffected this time.<\/p>\n
“The school in Bay Estate was able to open this morning as there was no flooding at Hazel Wood Drive.”<\/p>\n
Council crews had been on standby last night and sandbags had been delivered to residents and businesses in vulnerable areas.<\/p>\n
The sea had topped defences at Blackrock during Thursday’s high tide and the street had been closed to traffic again last night.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, primary schools across the Cooley peninsula in north Louth remain closed today\u00a0 as the county remains under an Orange weather alter until 12pm.<\/p>\n
Local councillor Antoin Watters said that flooding in the area was not as bad as had been expected although communities were still on edge with another high tide due this afternoon.<\/p>\n
“We’re starting from a very bad place as water levels are so high and the land is waterlogged.”<\/p>\n
“There were a few places that had problems and Council crews are already out clearing roads and drains in places around Carlingford and Omeath, Anaverna and Ballymakellet.”<\/p>\n
Sandbags had been delivered to areas iof Carlingford, including Trinity Close and Thosel Street, Omeath and Bellurgan that have been flooded during previous storms.<\/p>\n
The Louth Weather Facebook page reported that Dundalk and the western end of the county had around 25mm yesterday and that the highest totals were at Ravensdale at 65mm, with another 25-30mm is expected today (Friday).<\/p>\n
Louth County Council\u2019s Severe Weather Assessment Team (SWAT) met on Friday morning to assess ongoing conditions across the county.<\/p>\n
While no major overnight incidents were reported in several areas, crews continue to respond to localised flooding, debris and storm damage.<\/p>\n
In Drogheda and South Louth, no major incidents were reported overnight. There is localised flooding on one side of the Marsh Road, though it remains passable. Wellington Quay is expected to flood at high tide at 2.11pm on Friday, with wave heights forecast to reach 4.54 metres.<\/p>\n
There were no major reports in the Ardee and Mid Louth area. Minor flooding on Hale Street in Ardee has since been addressed and crews removed a fallen tree on the R169. In a disappointing development, three one-tonne sandbags placed on the N2\u00a0
Drogheda Road in Ardee to divert running water away from nearby properties were stolen overnight. Washed-up debris was also cleared from the Port Road.<\/p>\n
Members of the public are being urged to remain vigilant for debris on roads, avoid floodwater and adhere to all signage in relation to road closures. Residents are also encouraged to monitor Met \u00c9ireann weather updates and check the Louth County Council website and social media channels for up-to-date information on road closures, flooding and community alerts.<\/p>\n
An Emergency Response Payment is available to support households living in properties directly affected by flooding. To date, one application has been made in Co Louth. An Emergency Humanitarian Flooding Scheme is also open for small businesses, community, voluntary and sporting organisations impacted by flooding.<\/p>\n
Margaret Roddy and Katie Finnegan<\/p>\n
N11 among flooded Wicklow roads being cleared as officials warn flood threat is not over<\/p>\n
A Status Orange weather warning for Wicklow expired early this morning at 9am, but authorities are warning that flooding risks remain as rainfall continues to move through river catchments and coastal conditions stay hazardous.<\/p>\n
A small craft warning remains in place for all Wicklow coasts until 3pm today, with strong easterly winds expected to generate waves and swell. While the next high tide is due shortly after 2pm, it is forecast to be lower than Thursday\u2019s tide, which caused widespread coastal flooding.
Read more here:<\/p>\n
People rescued from cars as motorists advised not to drive through flooded roads<\/p>\n
The National Director for Fire and Emergency Management has said people have been rescued from trapped cars every day this week due to flooding.<\/p>\n
Keith Leonard told RT\u00c9\u2019s Morning Ireland motorists are being advised to slow down, be mindful of cyclists and pedestrians, and to turn back if they come across flooding on the roads.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you come across flooded water, turn back, do not drive into it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, every day this week, we’ve had to rescue people from trapped cars and they’re dangerous and it causes a lot of stress for people when that happens.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Leonard said there has been some good news this morning as last night\u2019s rainfall was not as heavy as anticipated.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat’s not to say that the conditions won’t be difficult today. Unfortunately, we have the coincidence of very high tides, surface flooding and very high river levels.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, we’re hopeful that we might get away today without too much damage to property, but I think you’ll see roads flooded and particularly along those coastal areas, I think you’re going to see more coastal overtopping throughout today and tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Leonard said rainfall over the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains is going to flow down over the next 24 to 48 hours and the full impact of this will not become clear until later today and early tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’re on full alert really right throughout the weekend. As I say, the rainfall will be much lower over the weekend, thankfully.\u201d<\/p>\n
The National Emergency Coordination Group is set to hold a meeting today at midday.<\/p>\n
Mr Leonard said humanitarian assistance, restoring public transport, unblocking roads and assessing damage to property will be the main priorities at the meeting.<\/p>\n
For anyone planning on travelling over the weekend, the advice is to allow for extra time on your journey.<\/p>\n
\u201cReally, it\u2019s just to give yourself extra time,\u201d Mr Leonard said. \u201cParticularly if you’re travelling to the airport, give yourself that extra hour or two to get there in case there’s extreme congestion on the roads.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd just look at the local authority websites in your area if you’re travelling, they’re a good source, both the social media and the websites from local authorities as to what the local conditions are like.\u201d<\/p>\n
Darragh Nolan<\/p>\n
Previously hit\u00a0Rathfarnham and Nutgrove in south Dublin avoid overnight flooding\u00a0<\/p>\n
Areas of Rathfarnham and Nutgrove in south Dublin that were badly hit by flooding last week remained clear this morning after heavy rain overnight.<\/p>\n
At Grange Park in Rathfarnham many home owners had protected their properties with sandbags as a precaution after the nearby Whitechurch Stream, which overflowed last week, started to rise again yesterday.<\/p>\n
Although the river did continue to rise during the night its level presented no danger to surrounding property this morning.<\/p>\n
Similarly, Nutgrove Avenue remained clear this morning where a local stream that runs through Loreto Park had overflowed last week, damaging businesses and threatening homes.<\/p>\n
The River Dodder, fed by the Whitechurch Stream and Owendoher River in Rathfarnham, was running higher this morning than it was yesterday but was not at a height where it could cause flooding on local roads. The Lower Dodder Road can be a particular flood risk after heavy rain but remained clear this morning.<\/p>\n
Conor Feehan<\/p>\n
Travel distruption on Dart and train lines\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dart services are back in operation between Greystones and Howth, Irish Rail spokesperson Jane Cregan has said, but there are no services between Greystones and Wicklow due to flooding.<\/p>\n
Ms Cregan told RT\u00c9\u2019s Morning Ireland flooding between Greystones and Howth has eased and services are in full operation with some delays, but there is still flooding and debris between Greystones and Wicklow.<\/p>\n
However, tare no services operating between Howth Junction and Malahide due to a non-weather-related incident, due to a technical problem with a vehicle carrying out maintenance works.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, we’re working to get that removed off the line at present, and then between Greystones and Wicklow, we’re not operating because we have debris and flooding on the line.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, that’s kind of our situation today. We’re in a better situation than we were yesterday, but we do still have some minor impacts.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Cregan reminded commuters that Leap cards will be accepted on all other TFI services on affected routes.<\/p>\n
She said all services are expected to be back in full operation later today.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking at how bad things were yesterday, how the water did recede, and the Dart line is back operating through that area where there was very bad flooding.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd as I said, the issue on the north side is not weather related, so we’re hoping that we will have that rectified sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd again, we’ll be working with our teams between Greystones and Wicklow to get that service back operating, but we do have a bus transfer operating on that route.\u201d<\/p>\n
Darragh Nolan<\/p>\n
Update: \u27a1DARTs operating between Greystones & Clongriffin (both directions). <\/p>\n
Belfast & Northern Commuter resuming Malahide & Howth Junction, delays up to +25mins.<\/p>\n
DARTs remain suspended between Malahide & Clongriffin. -AD<\/p>\n
05.50 Con\/Bel +77 \u2014 Iarnr\u00f3d \u00c9ireann (@IrishRail) February 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The rain is moving north \u201cquicker than anticipated\u201d, leading to Met \u00c9ireann bringing the weather warnings forward.<\/p>\n Met \u00c9ireann meteorologist Mark Bowe told RT\u00c9 Radio 1\u2019s Morning Ireland rain has started to ease, though last night was \u201cvery, very wet\u201d.<\/p>\n He said the end of the warnings will mark the end of the \u201cpersistent and heavy rain\u201d but flooding risks will continue into today.<\/p>\n \u201cWe certainly saw some very heavy rain right across parts of the east in the Wicklow Mountains and certainly in parts of the northeast around Louth.<\/p>\n \u201cWe saw some good totals right up to around midnight and it started to taper off then over the overnight hours into this morning as well.<\/p>\n So, the totals certainly got up there. We saw some very persistent rain right across the east and northeast in particular, especially across parts of Louth saw the heaviest of the rain last night.\u201d<\/p>\n While the worst of the heavy rain has passed, Mr Bowe said showers will continue to move up across the country from the south for the rest of today.<\/p>\n Darragh Nolan<\/p>\n Bus transfers are in place between Rosslare\/ Gorey to Wicklow and Bray due to debris and flooding on line.<\/p>\n The following services have been cancelled:<\/p>\n 05:35 Rosslare\/Connolly, bus transfers to Connolly05:45 Gorey\/Connolly, bus transfers to Connolly07:10 Rosslare\/Connolly will operate to Wicklow, bus transfers from Wicklow to Connolly LATEST: More homes and businesses at risk as flood threat to peak this morning<\/p>\n Series of Status Orange and Yellow warnings in placeCoast Guard has asked public to stay away from waterways and exposed coastal areasSome schools may close today as flooding may affect transportThe threat of flooding is set to peak this morning, with road networks expected to bear the brunt of the deluge.However, damage to residential and commercial properties is also likely, emergency services have warned. With Dublin, Louth, Waterford and Wexford under \u00adStatus Orange rain warnings, people in those counties have been urged to work from home in order to keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles.With Dublin, Louth, Waterford and Wexford under \u00adStatus Orange rain warnings, people in those counties have been urged to work from home in order to keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles.A total of 80mm of rain is expected to fall in a 36-hour period, meaning some parts of Leinster will have received more than 210mm of rainfall in the space of just 11 days.Garda\u00ed and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) warned that driving conditions would be potentially dangerous in some areas of Munster, Leinster and south Ulster today because of widespread flooding.<\/p>\n Motorists have been urged to postpone all non-essential journeys in Orange areas. Water Safety Ireland and the Coast Guard have asked people to avoid waterways and exposed coastal areas.<\/p>\n Flooding also hit the rail network with Dart services suspended between Lansdowne Road and Bray, while bus transfers are operating between Enniscorthy and Wexford where the line has been temporarily closed.Dublin, Waterford, Wicklow and Louth are now the focus of major flood fears, with particular concern at the rising level of the River Liffey.The ESB, which warned that water releases may be necessary because of the surging level of the Poulaphouca reservoir, is liaising with the National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) in a bid to minimise downstream flooding in Kildare and Dublin. Councils have said the problem is exacerbated by high spring tides and a lingering storm surge.A total of 13 counties remain under Orange or Yellow rainfall alerts.A number of schools in Leinster closed early yesterday or will postpone opening today amid concerns over the impact of flooding on peak school transport times.NECG chairperson Keith Leonard said prolonged showers in Dublin, Waterford, Wicklow and Louth have fallen on already saturated river valleys.Mr Leonard appealed to people to work from home in flood-threatened areas today if possible to ease traffic volumes and pressure on emergency services.\u201cOne of the things we would ask people is that, if they have the discretion to work from home, it would be useful if they could do so. Roads are going to be very heavily disrupted in some areas on Friday,\u201d he said.\u201cI think we are going to see a lot of flooding across roads and, unfortunately, some residential properties and business premises being impacted as well.”<\/p>\n Bus and rail services also face being affected.<\/p>\n Farm groups are warning that thousands of acres of farmland are now under floodwaters, as the Slaney, Nore, Suir, Barrow, Blackwater and Liffey rivers broke their banks.Emergency flood defence systems including aqua dams, flood gates, high-powered water pumps and sandbags were deployed in the main flood-threatened towns and cities including Waterford, Dungarvan, Passage, Enniscorthy, Wexford, Arklow, Bray, Dublin and parts of Louth. Flood gates will remain shut along the River Dodder.Four counties were placed under Status Orange warnings because of heavy rainfall and the threat of flooding.Waterford will remain under an Orange alert until 9am todayDublin and Wicklow will have an Orange rainfall in place until 3pm todayLouth will remain under an Orange warning until 6pm todayNine other counties are covered by Yellow rainfall warningsThe yellow warnings will be lifted for Tipperary, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois and Wexford at 9am todayThe Yellow alert will remain in place for Monaghan, Cavan and Louth until 6pm todayHeavy rainfall over Northern Ireland also prompted the UK Met Office to issue Yellow warnings for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Derry and Tyrone.Travel conditions are expected to prove challenging into tomorrow.Met \u00c9ireann’s Gerry Murphy said the concern over the rainfall was because of its prolonged nature rather than its intensity.He said greatest concern was focused on Wexford, Wicklow, Dublin, Waterford and Louth where the most concentrated rainfall fell yesterday and overnight.\u201cIt is a prolonged spell of persistent rain all the way through Thursday and into Friday. The concern in terms of impact is that because the rainfall is prolonged the totals will mount up,\u201d Mr Murphy said.<\/p>\n A view of Salthill and Monkstown Dart Station yesterday, which was completely flooded as high winds and a high tide affected the coastal rail line. Photo: Damien Storan<\/p>\n \u201cThe concern is over the impact it will have on already saturated ground and swollen river systems.\u201dWhile Ireland will get a brief respite from the rainfall over the weekend, further rainfall is expected next week as another Atlantic weather front moves toward the country.\u201cThere is more rainfall coming next week, but the hope is that it won’t follow the same track over the south-east and east as over recent days,\u201d Mr Murphy said.One Wexford weather station, Johnstown Castle, has recorded the wettest three-month period for almost a century. A total of 652.5mm of rainfall was recorded, the highest figure for 85 years.Rainfall for January was 230pc above normal averages in some parts of the south-east. Dublin recorded its second wettest January since 1948.<\/p>\n Ralph Riegel<\/p>\n PHOTOS: Flooding on Clontarf Road in Dublin yesterday. Brian Lawless\/PA Wire<\/p>\n \u00a005\/02\/26 – Waves crashed against the seawall at Seapoint and flooded the coastal rail line during high winds and a high tide along the Dublin coastline. Photo: Damien Storan.<\/p>\n Status Orange: Status Yellow: High water levels around Estuary<\/p>\n In case there was any doubt about the shocking weather we’ve had of late, to see this footage sent through by Maxi McCann around the Estuary that shows just what heavy rain on saturated ground combined with high river levels and high tides can do. pic.twitter.com\/LUUZi4WKMd<\/a><\/p>\n
06.50 Con\/Bel +28
05.30 DD\/GCD +53 https:\/\/t.co\/VRfwfM4pWD<\/a><\/p>\nMet \u00c9ireann brings weather warnings forward\u00a0<\/p>\nSome Dart and train services suspended due to floodingDART services are operating between Greystones and Howth this morning, however, Dart, Belfast and Northern Commuter lines are suspended between Malahide and Howth Junction.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n![\"Eoghan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/foGT5JtKKsoBDv75F7x5.png\")
Weather warnings:
The current state of play with weather warnings as the rain continues to fall.<\/p>\n
Waterford – until Friday at 9am
Dublin and Wicklow – until Friday at 3pm
Louth – until Friday at 6pm<\/p>\n
Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Wexford, Tipperary – until Friday at 9am
Cavan, Monaghan, Meath – until Friday at 6pm<\/p>\n
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