Storm Chandra warning for every county NOW as cars stranded in floods, hundreds of schools closed & 20k without power

THE entire country is under a Met Eireann weather warning now as powerful Storm Chandra makes landfall.

The wicked weather is bringing gusts of up to 120kmh, falls of snow and heavy rain – with some 20,000 people already without power, falls of snow in some areas and a number of communities cut off by flooded roads.

Cars driving through a flooded street. — **Cars stranded in floodwater in south Dublin this morning**Credit: Damien Storan

A rescue worker wearing a helmet and life vest wades through deep floodwaters at night. — **Emergency services across the country have been mobilised**Credit: Dublin Fire Brigade

A street flooded with water at night, with streetlights reflecting on the water. — **Firefighters across Dublin have been working to assist in flooding incidents across the county**Credit: Dublin Fire Brigade

Weather chiefs have warned of flying roof tiles and other debris posing a danger to life – with reports of trees down across the country flooding in.

ESB has said around  20,000 homes, farms and businesses are without power, with crews already mobilised to assess the damage.

The video in our player above shows cars stranded on flooded roads and water levels rising near houses in the Belarmine area of Sandyford in Co Dublin.

Over 300 schools across Northern Ireland have confirmed closures, with the possibility of more being announced as conditions worsen.

And a number of schools in Wicklow, Wexford and Dublin have also been forced to shut as the weather causes chaos.

Busy Fingers Pre-School and Sacred Heart National School in Aughrim, Co Wicklow and Ballyboughal National School, Oldtown National School and Rolestown National School in Co Dublin have all confirmed closures this morning.

St Marys CBS and Colaiste Bride secondary schools and St Aidan’s Primary School in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford also announced closures.

Iarnrod Eireann has already warned train passengers to expect “major disruptions”, with flooding currently affecting a number of locations.

Broombridge was closed for a time but has since been reopened and is operating with delays, while flooding has been reported at Lansdowne, Donabate, Salthill, Blackrock and Phoenix Park Tunnel.

A number of ferry sailings have been cancelled, with Irish Ferries and Stena Line both reporting services being axed between Dublin and Holyhead.

Dublin Airport warned of disruptions to the flight schedule as strong winds gust across Ireland the UK.

And at least 30 flights at Belfast City Airport have been cancelled.

Multiple roads have already been flooded overnight and there are fears of a number of rivers bursting their banks due to the heavy rain falling on already saturated ground.

The River Slaney in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford and The Cooley Peninsula in Co Louth are of particular concern, with County Councils monitoring both sites.

A number of motorists have become stranded on flooded roads.

And Ireland has been warned that conditions are expected to worsen from this afternoon onwards, based on the low pressure, winds and rainfall forecasted.

Sleet and snow fell on high ground in some areas last night and winds have already gusted at 119kmh at Malin Head this morning.

The entire country is currently under a Status Yellow wind warning.

The alert will remain in place until 11pm tonight, with Met Eireann warning: “Winds associated with Storm Chandra will be very strong and gusty particularly on coasts and in exposed areas.”

The forecaster outlined fallen trees and loose debris, wave overtopping and hazardous travel conditions.

WORST-HIT COUNTIES

Carlow, Kilkenny, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow and Waterford are under a Status Yellow rain warning until 11pm tonight, with Met Eireann warning of localised flooding, river flooding and difficult travel conditions as a result of the “persistent” rain.

Antrim, Down and Derry are under a Status Orange alert until 9pm tonight, while the UK Met Office has a Status Yellow wind and rain warning for Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry in place until midnight.

The storm will be tracking northwards over Ireland throughout the day.

Met Eireann meteorologist Rebecca Cantwell explained: “It will bring heavy spells of rain with strong winds, especially along the coast. It will slowly clear northwards later on Tuesday.

“Given the unsettled spell of weather we’ve experienced over the last while, this rain will fall on already saturated ground, combined with the fact that many rivers are approaching or exceeding bank-full conditions, and so we are expecting localised flooding and river flooding as a result.

“We have issued yellow level rainfall warnings for southeastern counties where the rain is expected to have the greatest impacts.

“This rain will also be accompanied by strong and gusty winds, affecting especially coastal areas, and a yellow wind warning has been issued for the entire country.”

Rebecca warned the compound effect of the wind and rain will make for some difficult travelling conditions while the warnings are in effect, with people urged to keep this in mind.

She added: “The winds will be strongest near coasts and exposed areas with wave overtopping possible and so we echo the well-known advice of the Irish Coast Guard: ‘Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry’.

“In summary, stay back from rivers, lakes and the coasts and avoid flooded roads, following the latest guidance from your local authority and road authorities.”