Main Points
- Met Éireann rain and wind warnings are in effect until Saturday morning.
- Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow are under a status orange rainfall warning until 8am on Saturday.
- A separate yellow rain warning for Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Louth, Meath, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford is in place until 9am on Saturday.
- There is also a yellow wind warning for Dublin, Louth, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow until 4am on Saturday.
- National Director for Fire and Emergency Management Keith Leonard warns that Storm Claudia has caused “significant flooding right across the country” with “probably more to come”.
- Dublin Fire Brigade found itself busy in the evening as winds picked up and rain got heavier.
- Eight flights to and from Dublin Airport cancelled in the afternoon; most public transported operating, but delays reported on some ferry crossings.
- Reports of significant flooding in Portarlington.
- Gardaí advised Dublin motorists to avoid the Tom Clarke Bridge/East-Link Toll Bridge on the North Quays this evening due to fallen debris.
That’s it for live updates tonight, do check back in with us tomorrow for further live coverage of Storm Claudia.
Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford remain under an orange rain alert with the worst still to come, forecasters have warned.
Road users have been urged to exercise extreme caution while travelling tonight and people have been asked to avoid unnecessary journeys until at least 8am tomorrow.
There has been flooding in some areas with fallen trees making some roads impassible and local authorities along the east coast have deployed flood response teams to at risk areas.
Speaking on the RTE news in the last few minutes Met Eireann’s senior forecaster Gerry Murphy said the storm was moving very slowly, something which lead to the rain falling for much longer than normal.
“Tomorrow will still be a cloudy, murky day, but the rainfall will become lighter as we head towards morning but, over the next few hours, still more heavy rain is on the way to the east and south of the country so great care needed in these areas.”
Cork frequently bears the brunt of storms but at least this time it has been spared the worst of it and has been able to start its Christmas celebrations as planned.
The Corkmas parade, the official start of Christmas in the city, is underway this evening amid wet and windy conditions, reports Olivia Kelleher.
Cork City Council decided to go ahead with the parade in the city centre because a large number of the performers had been booked for several months
“Many are scheduled to be elsewhere tomorrow and over the coming days.
Rain doesn’t bother Santa on Christmas Eve and it won’t bother him tonight either.
He advised anyone coming to see him to dress for wet weather, with raincoats, hoods and suitable footwear, but he’s advising against umbrellas on the parade route itself because they might block the view.”
Time for a quick wrap on what Claudia has been up to across Ireland maybe?
The full impact of the high winds and driving rain that swept across eastern parts of the country won’t be felt until later this weekend with the risk of flooding set to persist throughout Saturday and into Sunday.
The National Director for Fire and Emergency Management Keith Leonard warned that Storm Claudia had caused “significant flooding right across the country and there was probably more to come”.
High winds uprooted trees and made roads impassible in Wexford while there was significant flooding in Laois and Offaly where no weather warnings were in place.
Mr Leonard said the agency would be paying close attention to the catchment areas of the rivers Slaney, Barrow and Liffey with councils on standby and ready to activate flood plans if deemed necessary.
Most public transported operated on Friday but delays were reported on some ferry crossings and eight flights to and from Dublin to Leeds Bradford and Birmingham operated by Aer Lingus subsidiary Emerald Airlines were cancelled as crosswind speeds were expected to exceed safe operating levels for the propellor aircraft used by Emerald.
The DAA said that wet and windy weather would continue into Saturday morning but the airport was “expected to operate close to a full schedule.”
The Dublin Fire Brigade have been busy this evening as winds pick up and the rain starts getting heavier.
A small number of Stena Line crossings on the Dublin to Holyhead route have been impacted as a result of Storm Claudia.
“Due to adverse weather conditions, Stena Adventurer will be delayed in her usual arrival time at Holyhead. As soon as it is safe to do so, we will berth at Holyhead Port,” a statement said.
We are being told that there is a lot of traffic congestion in the East Wall area of Dublin as a result of debris on roads in the area and traffic restrictions that had to be put in place by the Dublin Fire Brigade. The impact is still being felt and if you have an option you might do well to avoid the area.
According to Met Eireann forecaster Gerry Murphy 28mm of rain has been recorded at Johnstown Castle in Wexford today, but more twice that amount might fall before the storm passes.
Speaking on RTE he warned of a a significant risk of flooding in south Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford. The rain is likely to be heaviest until i10pm, especially along the east coast.
A total of eight flights to and from Dublin have been cancelled as a result of Storm Claudia with the Birmingham and Leeds routes impacted. Passengers travelling with other airlines have also been told to keep in touch with their carriers this evening as there may be delays as the storm conditions worsen.
The national director for Fire and Emergency Management,Keith Leonard, has said surface water flooding is being reported across the areas covered by the orange weather alert and stressed that it will be at least Sunday before the scale of the damage is known.
Some areas - even within the counties under the orange alert - are being hit much harder than others Parts of Wicklow are being battered by high winds and driving rain while areas of Wexford are also being hit hard.
There are concerns about the potential flood risks posed by rising water levels in the Slaney and Barrow rivers although no major incidents have been reported as yet.
Just by way of a reminder, the Status Orange rain warning is in place for Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow until 8am tomorrow while a Status Yellow rain warning is in place in 10 other counties mostly along the east and south coasts.
These counties are Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Louth and Meath.
Met Eireann has said that “significant” flooding and hazardous travelling conditions are possible in the impacted areas although it will be much drier across Ulster and Connacht.
Keith Leonard, national director for Fire and Emergency Management, said local authorities had been preparing since Thursday for heavy rainfall.
He said flooding over the next 24 hours was the main concern, and that fallen leaves clogging drains was a “complicating factor”.
He said the storm arriving from the south rather than the west would bring “the rainfall into slightly different catchments than it might normally hit”.
While there is an Orange Alert in place in Dublin, the city centre has so far escaped the worst of Storm Claudia although it is early days and there could be a long night ahead.
A couple of travel related updates as the evening progresses with Barry Kenny of Irish Rail saying there has been no disruption as yet to the rail network.
Speaking on RTE he said Irish Rail has maintenance teams on standby to deal with any issues that arise with the big fear that train tracks will be hit by falling debris and trees.
There have been a handful of flights to and from Dublin Airport cancelled with Emerald Airlines propellor planes heading for UK destinations hardest hit.
And gardai have warned that due to debris caused by Storm Claudia, Motorists are advised to avoid the Tom Clarke Bridge / East-Link Toll Bridge on the North Quays of Dublin City.Delays are expected if travelling in the area.
There is flooding in Portlaoise and Portarlington which is making driving conditions very difficult.
Copernicus, the European Commission’s emergency management service in association with the European Space Agency, uses live satellite footage to assist in emergency situations.
It’s been alerted to Storm Claudia’s potential impacts in Ireland it says.
Planespotters are out at Dublin Airport, where flights continue to land, though conditions look difficult.
Maps posted by weather commentator Carlow Weather illustrate why the situation feels worse in some places than others.
There are reports of extreme flooding in Portarlington, on the Laois Offaly border, this afternoon.
Some roads in Portarlington are impassable while others are also badly flooded, as reported by the Leinster Express.
“Botley Lane is completely impassable since Thursday morning with signage directing drivers coming from the Bracknagh side of town to continue up Spa Street.
Spa Street is now also badly flooded but is passable. Traffic was extremely slow on the route with traffic backed up to McMahon’s Hardware Store at 8.30am.
“Patrick Street, outside Dempsey’s Inver shop, is almost impassable but traffic was moving slowly on Friday morning.”
A video shared by the Dún Laoghaire Coast Guard shows sea conditions this morning in Scotsman Bay.
All Dublin City Council parks are closed until 11am on Saturday.
Operations are moving well at Dublin Airport as of midday, with passengers advised to give themselves plenty of time to arrive and take care on roads. Passengers seeking updates on specific flights should contact their airline directly.
Local authorities were briefed on the expected conditions during a meeting of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) on Friday morning.
Keith Leonard, national director of the NDFEM, said both river and surface water flooding are expected in Leinster and Munster from today into the weekend.
“We are asking people to stay away from coastal areas during this period, avoid open riverbanks and canal paths in flood conditions, and to stay away from swollen rivers, streams and flooded riverbanks, where banks can collapse without warning,” he said.
“Drivers also need to be wary of potentially hazardous conditions in their area, so please slow down, increase your stopping distances and watch for surface water and debris on roads. If the road ahead is flooded, do not enter – turn around and find another route.”
NDFEM issued the following public safety advice:
- Do not try to walk through floodwater: Just a few inches of fast-moving water can knock you off your feet; deeper water can move a car
- Follow advice from emergency services and your local authority.
- Intense rainfall, even over a short period, may overwhelm urban drainage systems.
- Avoid contact with floodwater where possible; it may be contaminated with sewage, chemicals or sharp debris.
- Farmers in affected areas are advised to move vehicles, machinery and livestock to higher ground before flooding arrives, where possible.
- People are advised to prepare for this period of severe weather, including ensuring their mobile phone is fully charged to enable communication.
Met Éireann’s status orange rain warning for Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow comes into effect from now at midday, and remains in place until 8am on Saturday.
The Government has unveiled a new plan to protect Ireland’s telecommunications networks from extreme weather.
The plan aims to prepare for the impact of “disruptive power of climate change” on the State’s communication networks.
It sets out how the sector will “strengthen the resilience” of Ireland’s communication networks in the face of climate challenges.
A statement released on Friday reflected on the infrastructure damage caused by flooding in Midleton in 2023 as result of Storm Babet, and the destructive winds of this year’s Storm Éowyn.
Both storms demonstrated how essential services can be put under strain by extreme weather events.
Speaking about the new plan, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Ireland “must continue to build climate resilience”.
“More severe storm damage, flooding, drought and coastal erosion threaten our homes, businesses and infrastructure. We must continue to build climate resilience. Adapting to the escalating impacts of climate change is a central focus for us all.”
The river Boyne has burst its banks, causing flooding on surrounding roads and limiting access to Brú na Bóinne.
Dublin Fire Brigade has issued some advice for homeowners on how to prepare for possible flooding and power outages.
The Road Safety Authority has advised road users to take extra care while the weather warnings are in place today and tomorrow.
The RSA said road users – particularly those affected by the orange rain warning in Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow – should check local traffic and weather conditions before setting out on a journey.
Where people have to use the roads, the following advice has been given:
- Drivers need to slow down and allow a greater braking distance between themselves and the vehicle in front, especially on dual carriageways and motorways.
- Take special care when driving behind goods vehicles as they generate a considerable amount of spray that reduces your visibility; hold back to where you can see their mirrors.
- If the road ahead is flooded choose another route, do not attempt to drive through it. Flooded roads that appear shallow could be deeper than you think. The verge may have subsided and there may also be trees or branches that have fallen that may not be visible.
- Road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic that have been put there by the local council or An Garda Síochána.
- After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance – this helps to dry the brakes.
- Drive with dipped headlights at all times.
Dublin Airport has said “operations are moving very well” this morning, despite the bad weather.
“Heavy rain is expected over the course of the day which could make for tricky driving conditions. Passengers should give themselves plenty of time to get here and take extra care on the roads,” a statement on X noted.
In September, the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) criticised the fact that plans to scale up the response to extreme weather events such as Storm Éowyn had not been finalised even as a new storm season approached.
The CCAC said last January’s storm and its immediate predecessor, Storm Darragh, exposed “significant shortcomings” in how State agencies and services managed the widespread impacts.
The council expressed disappointment that an all-of-Government review of the Storm Éowyn response was overdue and said preparations were needed urgently before another storm of that magnitude hits Ireland, Caroline O’Doherty reported.
Storm Claudia is not expected to be of the magnitude of Storm Éowyn, but future storms could have a similar or greater impact.
As we brace ourselves for another storm, it is worth revisiting some research from earlier this year.
Back in January, Kevin O’Sullivan reported that warmer, wetter weather and an increasing number of storms were predicted to impact Ireland.
A team based at the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC) in the University of Galway processed vast amounts of data to gain insights into Ireland’s future weather patterns.
Extreme events such as flooding, droughts and storms are likely to be a key issue for Ireland under climate change, the ICHEC confirmed.
At the time, Paul Nolan, lead author of the study, said the research gave rise to questions such as how likely these storms are to occur and how prepared the Government and society can be to deal with them.
The “updated high-resolution climate projections increase confidence in climate projections for Ireland which, if realised, will impact Ireland’s economy, society and environment in dramatic ways”, he said.
Saturday will start off with patchy rain and drizzle moving northwards over the country, as showers feed into the south.
“The rain will eventually ease with some sunny intervals developing with just well scattered showers continuing mainly over the southern half of the country,” Met Éireann says.
It will be rather windy at first, but the winds will ease throughout the day.
Highest temperatures will range from 7 to 12 degrees.
It is due to be a wet and windy day nationwide, particularly in the south and east with flooding expected in places.
It will be “much drier across Ulster and Connacht with some bright spells further north”, according to Met Éireann.
Highest temperatures will range from 7 to 12 degrees in fresh to strong and gusty northeasterly winds, with gales on eastern coasts.
Temperatures are expected to drop to 4 to 8 degrees tonight.
A yellow wind warning for Dublin, Louth, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow will be in effect from midday on Friday until 4am on Saturday.
Difficult travelling conditions and “wind-related debris” are expected in these counties, Met Éireann says.
Status yellow rain and wind warnings have also been issued for several other counties.
A yellow rain warning for Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Louth, Meath, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford will be in place from 9am on Friday until 9am on Saturday.
Flooding, difficult travelling conditions and poor visibility are expected in these counties while the warning is in effect.
Significant flooding is possible in three counties affected by a status orange rain warning on Friday and Saturday as Ireland braces itself for Storm Claudia.
Hazardous travelling conditions are also expected in Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow.
The orange rain warning for the three counties comes into effect at midday on Friday and is to remain in place until 8am on Saturday.
Met Éireann says there will be “significant rainfall accumulations, especially on high ground and exposed areas”.
