Met Eireann extend Status Yellow warning by SIX hours over ‘really difficult conditions’ amid Liffey alert & flood fears

MET Eireann have extended their Status Yellow warnings for eight counties amid a new “really difficult conditions” flood alert.

The weather bosses have warned heavy rain will hit some counties for longer than originally anticipated.

Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Cork and Waterford will now be under a Status Yellow rainfall alert from 9pm tonight until 3pm Tuesday afternoon.

Met Eireann warned: “Further heavy rain falling on saturated ground combined with high river levels and high tides will lead to: localised flooding, river flooding and difficult travel conditions.”

And then from 6am Tuesday morning Dublin, Louth and Wicklow will be placed under a yellow alert.

This warning will remain in place until 9pm tomorrow evening, six hours longer than originally forecast.

Met Eireann has also issued a weather advisory for the entire country as “persistent rainfall” continues to batter already flooded areas.

The forecaster said: “Spells of heavy and persistent rainfall will continue through the week of 02nd February, particularly in southern and eastern coastal counties.

“Rain will fall on saturated ground where river levels are high with high tides expected this week. This will lead to further flooding along rivers and in coastal areas.

“Close monitoring of local weather conditions via http://www.met.ie and river gauge data http://www.waterlevel.ie is strongly advised.”

Amid the alerts The National Emergency Coordination Group has warned that the flood risk is “very high” with “peak levels” still to hit.

And the group’s chairperson Keith Leonard warned the areas around the Slaney and Liffey rivers are of particular concern after Storm Chandra already filled up rivers.

Speaking to RTE’s Morning Ireland today he warned: “Unfortunately, I think the risk from flooding is very high.”

Leonard continued: “We’re watching all the catchments, the Slaney catchment in particular, the Liffey catchment but really right across the east region, even up to Cavan and Monaghan, I think flooding is likely.”

The chairperson also warned that areas such as Carlow, Wexford and Kilkenny are at “peak levels”, meaning flooding is likely to hit once more.

He said: “We were hoping for some respite over the weekend, there was a small amount of headroom but I think we’re back into really difficult conditions this week.”

In a stark message Keith Leonard warned people in flood hit areas to “call 999” if they run into any difficultly due to the turbulent conditions.

Keith continued: “Tuesday and Wednesday are probably going to be the peak levels, again there will be a little bit of a lag from the rainfall today before that water washes down through the catchments.”

‘HEAVY SATURATED GROUND’

Weather experts at Donegal Weather Channel have warned that rainfall accumulations could reach 100mm over the coming days.

Kenneth Blackmore warned: “On Monday night into Tuesday morning rain will spread northwards to all areas with a few heavier burst across the southeast and east which could bring the ongoing risk of further flooding due to the heavy saturated ground and swollen rivers.

“Rainfall amounts will be below the yellow threshold but a warning could still be issued due to the ongoing risk of flooding.

“Further spells of heavy rainfall is likely across southern and Eastern counties over the rest of the week with the ongoing risk of flooding.

“Between 50mm to 100mm will be possible with highest amounts in higher ground areas. The west and northwest look much drier for the week with amounts between 5mm to 20mm.”

NO END IN SIGHT

Before the alerts kick in later today it will be mostly dry with a lot of cloud building over the country.

Met Eireann added: “However, more persistent rain will push into the south-west this afternoon, turning heavy at times later.

“Given the already saturated soils and high river levels, this rainfall may lead to flooding.”

Along with that heavy rain it will also be breezy throughout today.

Met Eireann also warned that the wet conditions don’t look set to budge.

They warned today: “Current indications are for similar conditions to persist into the weekend.”