Recent severe weather has come to an end, says Met Éireann

The worst of the recent

rain is believed to have passed, according to Met Éireann, which noted a slight reprieve yesterday as much of the anticipated downpours remained off the Irish coast.

While motorists had to contend with serious flooding yesterday morning, forecasters say the formidable conditions are unlikely to be repeated in the coming days.

However, a yellow weather warning remained until the early hours of this morning, with thundery showers expected to hit parts of Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford and Waterford overnight.

That warning led to concerns for further severe conditions, particularly in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, which was among the worst affected areas.

Gerald Fleming, Met Éireann's head of forecasting, said yesterday's conditions were worst in the morning, although much of the potential for further flooding was avoided when heavy rain fell out in the Irish Sea and off Cornwall.

“It’s unsettled but not terribly wet over the weekend. There will be bits and pieces of showers [today] but a lot of dry weather too.”

Fog is likely to be the biggest issue in the coming days, while next week will see a more familiar mix of mild conditions with rain and wind.

In Dublin yesterday a number of cars were trapped in water in Sandyford, while a motorist was rescued from a vehicle in Malahide.

Five families were left stranded in Co Monaghan when lake and river water near Lough Muckno cut off access to their homes.

Resident Geraldine Lambe said it was "the worst flooding ever witnessed in the area, and there is a need for urgent action before someone is drowned or more property is destroyed".

In Enniscorthy, the Slaney burst its banks, sending water on to Abbey Quay and Templeshannon Quay and into some properties in the immediate vicinity.

Numerous roads were blocked in Co Waterford since Thursday night. "The county council spent a lot of money this year on side clearances which means opening up drains and so on," said Waterford council engineer Ken Walsh.

“The problem is you have thousands of gallons coming out of the fields and openings.”

The N72 between Dungarvan and Cappoquin flooded in a number of places, while the road between Dungarvan and Clonmel was impassable.

Some towns and villages in Co Kilkenny were hit by flooding, including Castlecomer, Callan, Kells, Thomastown and Graiguenamanagh, the latter seeing the river rise over the quays.

In Carlow, the river Barrow was high in Bagenalstown, while residents and businesspeople in Leighlinbridge were hoping to escape the worst of any flooding.

Co Tipperary was also hit by floods in a number of locations.