Main Points
- Nationwide status yellow weather warnings are in force as Storm Chandra hits Ireland.
- Met Éireann said powerful gusts of 124km/h have been reported near Malin Head.
- Some 20,000 homes and businesses have been left without power, ESB networks has said.
- “Winds associated with Storm Chandra will be very strong and gusty particularly on coasts and in exposed areas,” Met Éireann said.
- Road users have been warned of localised flooding, fallen branches and trees and loose debris.
- Wave overtopping is possible in coastal and river areas.
- Meteorologist Rebecca Cantwell said more rain falling on saturated ground meant that flooding is expected.
- The UK Met Office said Storm Chandra will bring “very strong winds” to Northern Ireland and warned of likely cancellations on road, rail, air and ferry services.
- This storm has the potential to damage buildings, with flying roof tiles and other debris posing a danger to life, it said.
Speaking to reporters in advance of a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning, Tánaiste Simon Harris thanked crews seeking to restore power and defended the Government’s record in preparing for storms.
Cormac McQuinn reports:
Harris said there is an increase in the frequency of extreme weather and “we’re seeing the consequences of that.”
He said a lot of work has been done since Storm Éowyn including in the area of local authority planning. He said some local authorities at the time of that storm last year had “really good local resilience plans and quite frankly others left a lot to be desired in terms of local plans.”
He said it is important there is “consistency” around this.
Harris also said decisions have been made around the provision of emergency generators and there has been investment in community infrastructure like sports clubs and other facilities that can be “put to use at a time of a weather emergency.”
He said delivery of “critical infrastructure” like energy and water supplies must be streamlined and “that’s why we have the accelerated infrastructure taskforce report” and legislation arising from it that means there can be “a faster planning process”.
“I think that helps with the resilience our country needs too,” he said.
There is significant travel disruption across the Bray area of Co Wicklow this morning, while gardaí have warned that Kilmaconogue village is “completely flooded”, Sarah Slater reports.
Fire services are on scene working to clear a fallen tree on the Beech Road, which is currently impassable.
Meanwhile, heavy flooding is causing delays on the N11 northbound between the Roundwood junction and Avoca Handweavers.
Gardaí are advising the public avoid Kilmacanogue village, saying it is “completely flooded and down to one lane on the N11″.
Separately, Carlow County Council chief executive officer Coilín O’Reilly is advising locals “not to drive through floods” due to crews having to rescue motorists from cars.
Numerous roads across the county are being reported as impassable. Overnight fire crews were out trying to pump water out of houses in Carlow.
The river Slaney in Enniscorthy, which burst its banks on Tuesday morning, is still rising, so it is a “wait and see” situation, according to a Wexford County Council engineer.
Vivienne Clarke reports:
Sinéad Casey said the flooding impact is quite large in Enniscorthy town, the quays, New Bridge, Island Road and Templeshannon, as well as part of the old N11 at the promenade and the promenade itself.
“Everything is impassable around the river,” she told RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland.
Sandbags had been distributed and the council liaised with relevant businesses and property owners last night.
Ms Casey advised people to stay out of flooded areas and to travel with the utmost care.
Several schools have closed in south county Dublin due to “serious flooding” on the Enniskerry Road, according to a local councillor.
Several Dublin Bus routes have been diverted or affected due flooding and fallen trees.
Inbound services on routes 27, 56A, 74, 77A, 150, and 151 are being diverted via Kevin Street, Georges Street and Dame Street due to the closure of Patrick Street until further notice.
Separately, route L14 cannot serve Palermo due to a fallen tree, while route 44 cannot serve Stepaside due to flooding. Route 15b cannot serve certain stops due to flooding at Stocking Avenue.
Dublin Fire Brigade is currently responding to water rescue incidents in Kilternan, Hunters Wood, Firehouse, Sandyford and Nutgrove in Rathfarnham, Sarah Slater reports.
Life risk emergencies are currently being “prioritised” by Dublin Fire Brigade, it said.
Several cars are submerged in water on the Dodder Road, where this is significant flooding.
A Transport Infrastructure Ireland official has urged people to consider working from home on Tuesday as Storm Chandra has caused significant problems on main routes, Vivienne Clarke reports.
Sean O’Neill, Director of Corporate Communications, said there is just one lane open on the M50 between the Firhouse and Dundrum junctions following a collision.
“We ask everyone who needs to use that section of the M50 to please, if they can, delay their journey, take some time at home, talk to your employer.
“It’s just not going to be productive time spent. We have crews on site, we’re dealing with the incident, but I do not have a time yet on when the issue will be resolved,” he told RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland.
“Additionally, in the village of Kilmacanogue, there’s significant flooding into and around Junction 8 on the N11, so again we ask people to please delay their journey this morning if they can, because there is significant traffic disruption right now.”
Mr O’Neill said it would take time to resolve these “significant” events.
“So we do ask people to please think about their commute this morning and maybe delaying it if they can because you’re not going to be going anywhere fast.”
The river Slaney in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, has burst its banks with the Promenade, Island Road and Shannon Quay closed to traffic, Sarah Slater reports.
Sandbags are being deployed across the town and it is feared worse flooding is to come as high tide is expected at around 11.30am.
Senator Cathal Byrne is urging the public to follow advice from gardaí, Wexford County Council and emergency services to avoid the area.
Senator Byrne criticised the lack of a flood relief scheme for the town.
“It is beyond scandalous that yet again our town is under flooding. I again call for the Enniscorthy Flood Defense Scheme to be delivered for the town without delay,” he said.
The council has said routes currently closed due to flooding include the N80 in Bunclody, Clohamon, and the Enniscorthy quays. It is urging motorists to use alternative routes which are signposted.
Gardaí in Wexford warned that “due to heavy rain and high tides, there are numerous issues of flooding and surface water on roads throughout the county”.
Meanwhile, Waterford City and County Council said due to persistent rainfall and strong winds, flood defence barriers have been activated in Waterford city.
The situation in Passage East and Tramore Promenade is being monitored and flood defence barriers will be activated if required.
Several car parks in Dungarvan have been closed due to a risk of flooding.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland has warned of flooding at several locations, and advised motorists to “observe extra caution”.
20,000 premises without power
Some 20,000 homes and businesses have been left without power due to Storm Chandra, ESB Networks has said.
Crews have been mobilised and are working to assess the damage and restore supply, it said.
“We acknowledge the disruption to family and commercial life this causes and thank impacted customers for their patience as our crews work to safely restore power.”
In an update, Irish Rail has said delays of up to 40 minutes can be expected for services across the network due to flooding at several locations.
Phoenix Park Tunnel has reopened, it said, with services resuming to Grand Canal Dock, though delays are expected.
Gusts of up to 124km/h recorded in Co Donegal
Wind gusts of up to 124km/h have been recorded Co Donegal, according to Met Éireann meteorologist Gerry Murphy.
Vivienne Clarke reports:
Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland, Mr Murphy said a mean wind speed of 92km/h and a “very severe gust” of 124km/h were recorded in Malin Head this morning.
This alongside an “awful lot of rain” overnight, particularly in Dublin, with 30mm of rain falling in Phoenix Park since midnight.
“So overall the impact is the risk of flooding and the continued risk of flooding as we go through the rest of today and tonight,” he said.
Mr Murphy said showers are expected to continue throughout the day, with windier conditions expected in Munster later on Tuesday.
A gradual improvement in conditions is expected overnight as the rain and winds brought by Storm Chandra ease, he said.
Dublin Airport has said strong winds are affecting flight operations this morning, warning there could be disruption to flight schedules.
‘Major disruptions’ expected to rail services
“Major disruptions” are expected to Dart and commuter services on Tuesday morning due to reports of flooding at several locations in Dublin, Irish Rail has warned.
Flooding has been reported at several stations including Broombridge, Lansdown, Donabate and Blackrock.
“DART, Commuter & Intercity services can expect significant delays due to flooding at several locations,” Irish Rail said on X.
It warned of delays of up to 20 minutes for Dart, Maynooth, Sligo, and Rosslare services due to flooding and associated speed restrictions.
The Phoenix Park Tunnel has been closed due to flooding, with services from Hazelhatch and Newbridge being diverted into Heuston Station.
In Northern Ireland, an amber wind warning is in place for counties Antrim, Down and Derry as “very strong winds” from Storm Chandra bring “potential for damage and disruption”.
The entirety of the North is also under a yellow wind and rain warning.
The UK Met Office advised the public to expect longer journey times and likely cancellations on road, rail, air and ferry services.
The storm has the potential to damage buildings, with flying roof tiles and other debris posing a danger to life.
It said there is a “good chance that power cuts may occur” which could affect other services such as mobile phone coverage.
Forecasters also warned that some communities could be cut off by flooded roads, with outbreaks of rain spreading across Northern Ireland on Tuesday, potentially even falling as snow for a time on the highest ground.
A status yellow wind warning covering the entire country came into effect at 3am and lasts until 11pm on Tuesday as Storm Chandra hits Ireland.
Met Éireann said winds associated with the storm will be “very strong and gusty”, particularly on coasts and in exposed areas.
These winds could potentially cause fallen trees and loose debris, hazardous travel conditions, and wave overtopping in coastal and river areas.
Meanwhile, a status yellow rain warning has been issued for counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow and Waterford.
Met Éireann warned that bands of rain associated with Storm Chandra will be heavy and persistent in these counties, with rain falling on already saturated ground.
This could lead to possible localised flooding and river flooding.
