Country braced for threat of 'significant' flooding as Status Orange alert issued for three counties

"Met Éireann said a massive band of rain will hit many counties in the east, all the way down to the south-west. This has resulted in it issuing Status Orange and Yellow rain warnings. A Status Orange rain warning will be valid from 2pm today until 11am tomorrow, affecting counties Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow. The national forecaster urged people living in those counties to exercise caution in ­relation to potential flooding and dangerous travel conditions."

"Met Éireann meteorologist Michelle Dillon said today's Orange alert was a result of Storm Claudia, which has been hitting western parts of Spain and the Canary Islands this week. An area of high pressure from the north will clash today with the low-pressure front caused by that storm coming from the south, leaving the latter "stuck" over southern counties and east Leinster. Ms Dillon said a wind warning for north-easterly gusts, which is in place from noon, could "exacerbate" the expected rainfall."

"There is also a threat of "significant" surface flooding today following the heavy showers of the past few days, she added. "We've already had a lot of rainfall recently, so the rivers are swollen. The ground is saturated. Be very careful when driving "So all of that, combined with the additional heavy rainfall, means we can expect flooding, not only in those counties under the orange warning, but in any of those counties where there's a rainfall warning," she said."

A massive band of rain will hit many eastern counties and extend to the south-west, prompting Status Orange and Yellow rain warnings. A Status Orange rain warning runs from 2pm today until 11am tomorrow for Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow. Storm Claudia interacting with an incoming high-pressure area from the north leaves the low-pressure front stalled over southern counties and east Leinster. North-easterly gusts from noon may exacerbate heavy rainfall and create flying debris. Rivers are swollen and the ground saturated from recent showers, increasing the threat of significant surface flooding. Drivers face hazardous travel, poor visibility and surface water; local authority advice should be followed.

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