Met Éireann has issued a severe weather warning for today, with heavy rainfall and strong winds expected to affect all parts of the country.
The forecaster said the day would start off dry in many areas but that rain would first develop in the southwest before spreading to all areas by mid-afternoon, which could increase the risk of flooding in already waterlogged areas.
It was predicted that between 25mm and 40mm of rain could fall between yesterday evening and midnight tonight, and Met Éireann cautioned that south to southwest winds could reach speeds of 80 to 110kph.
These winds are expected to be strongest in exposed parts of the country such as the west and northwest.
Rough seas are also likely as a high tide warning is in place, as well as a chance of isolated thunderstorms developing over some areas of the country.
Water levels in Lough Derg fell overnight but water levels remain high in the Liffey, the ESB reported today.
In a statement, the ESB said levels in Lough Derg have dropped 5cm overnight to the previous record high level on the lake, and the discharge rate from Parteen Weir has fallen a further 7 per cent overnight.
Reservoir levels are still high at Poulaphouca reservoir and the Liffey, however, with the company continuing to discharge water from the reservoir. The company said that with heavy rain forecast for today, the situation is being closely monitored.
Limerick city council said today it had put down sandbags at vulnerable points along the Quays from Merchant’s Quay to the Shannon Bridge at Mallow Street and at Verdant Place as a precaution in light of the high tides this weekend.
However, its statement noted high spring tides occurred in the city over the past three mornings with no adverse impact.
Householders and business people in Cork city were last night urged to protect their property after Cork City Council issued a flood alert for low-lying areas of the city centre for today.
The council said strong southeasterly winds combined with heavy rainfall forecast for today could combine with high tides to increase tide levels to over the natural level and lead to flooding.
Separately, Cork Lord Mayor Cllr Dara Murphy announced an initiative to co-ordinate the flood relief efforts of various charitable organisations.