Local councils in the south of the country are bracing for possible pockets of flooding as Storm Babet hits Ireland from Tuesday morning onwards.
A status orange weather warning from Met Éireann is in place for Cork, Kerry and Waterford, due to the expected heavy rain, which will bring possible localised flooding. The warning is in place until 1pm on Wednesday.
Cork City Council warned the storm could bring an increased “tidal flood risk” along low-lying city quays during high tide on Tuesday evening at around 7.50pm. The local authority said however that property damage was not expected.
Kerry County Council similarly warned locals to be wary of difficult driving conditions and the potential for the heavy rain to cause some localised flooding.
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Fergus Galvin, director of services at Waterford City and County Council, urged the public to be cautious on the roads.
“With the possibility of blustery winds and heavy rainfall, driving conditions will be difficult, as there is the risk of localised flooding, fallen branches and poor visibility, all which will make journeys hazardous,” he said.
The local authority is to close the Tramore Prom from 4pm, when the risk of overtopping from waves is greatest during high tide. Car parks across the city – Davitt’s Quay, The Look Out, Castle Street – and The Pond in Dungarvan will also be closed from 4pm.
The council’s severe weather management team met on Tuesday morning, with ground crews placed on standby to respond to flooding.
In a statement, Cork County Council said it had crews on standby at several spots prone to flooding.
“Crews are currently clearing inlets and gullies. Sandbags and pumping arrangements will be in place in known problem locations,” it said.
A lower-level status yellow advisory over heavy rain is in place for all of Leinster, Connacht, Cavan, Clare, Donegal, Monaghan, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Kilkenny and Wexford.
Met Éireann advised that counties covered by the status yellow rain warning could also be at risk of localised flooding and see dangerous driving conditions.
The orange warning will remain in place until 1pm on Wednesday, with the yellow warnings in place until 8pm at the latest.
The worst of the storm is forecast to hit England and Scotland, where some areas may see up to 200mm of rainfall and the possibility of 110km/h gale-force winds.
Met Éireann said temperatures on Tuesday would drop to lows of eight to 11 degrees, with heaviest rain likely during the morning and again overnight.
Wednesday is forecast to be a warmer day as the worst of Storm Babet passes, however outbreaks of rain are expected to be heavy in parts.
