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Drivers are advised to postpone all journeys in Clare,Cork, Galway and Kerry until further notice as weather conditions have deteriorated this evening.

Those that have to travel can expect delays of up to three hours with severe tailbacks. A number of vehicles in Cork Waterford and Galway were submerged under water as flooding worsened throughout the country today.

AA Roadwatch controller Nicola Hudson said its service has been inundated by calls resulting from flooded engines in the Cork and Galway regions earlier today. “We strongly advise drivers to avoid driving through any flood waters, it could be much deeper than it looks and you could do serious damage to your vehicle,” said Ms Hudson.

She urged drivers in Cork, Galway and Kerry not to travel unless necessary, as flooding remained serious in these areas. “You will have treacherous road conditions, severe traffic delays and long detours to contend with,” she said. A number of national and secondary roads are blocked in Munster and Connaught regions with traffic delays were reported to be longer than an hour on many routes.

West Cork is particularly affected. Cork County Council Senator Michael McCarthy said the situation was set to get worse. “Although the tide is out in Clonakilty the bay is full at the moment, and severe flooding is expected when the tide comes in later this evening,” he said.

“Bandon is also particularly bad as the river has burst its banks, and all approach roads to Towns such as Skibbereen and Dunmanway are also under flood.”