Main Points
- Nationwide status yellow weather warnings were in force as Storm Chandra hits Ireland.
- About 2,500 homes and businesses remain without power, down from a peak of 20,000 on Tuesday morning.
- The River Slaney in Co Wexford burst its banks while many locals in Co Wicklow have seen damaging flooding at their homes.
- Flood risks will “persist for the rest of the week”, according to Met Éireann.
- Commuters nationwide have been experiencing significant delays on roads and rail lines, with roads still closed in several counties and the Rosslare line closed until tomorrow.
- Dublin Airport has experienced disruption, with 20 flights affected by the storm.
Key Reads
- Opinion: Storm Chandra commuter chaos is made far worse by a dysfunctional transport system
- National League: Counties urged to alert Croke Park if fixtures in doubt due to rain
That’s all from our updates on Storm Chandra this evening. We’ll be back with more reporting on the storm and its impact in the morning. Good night.
Worst-hit areas had nearly half their average January rainfall in one day
Our Climate and Science Correspondent Caroline O’Doherty reports that Met Éireann rainfall data and OPW water-level gauges show that some of the areas worst hit by the floods received almost half their average rainfall for January in one 24-hour period.
The Phoenix Park got 40mm of rain in 24 hours up to 9pm, which is two-thirds its average rainfall for the month of January. Meanwhile, water levels in rivers reached or neared record levels documented over the past 20 years.
The Slaney at Enniscorthy reached levels just fractionally below those during New Year’s Eve floods caused by Storm Frank in 2015 that devastated the town and prompted calls for the immediate introduction of flood defences – which are still not in place.
South Dublin residents shut out of storm damage supports, says Green councillor
Green Party councillor Oisín O’Connor has accused the Government of excluding south Dublin residents from emergency financial supports for damage cause by Storm Chandra.
“It’s not good enough for financial supports for victims of flooding to be announced and leave residents of Glencullen, Stepaside, Kilternan, Rathfarnham and Sandyford without clarity,” he said.
Mr O’Connor has been hearing from residents whose homes and household essentials have been damaged by flooding from Storm Chandra, and liaising with the council to have flooded roads cleared.
He put the blame on Government TDs in the area for not being in touch with what is happening to people on the ground in and around the Dublin Mountains.
“It’s frustrating and disappointing that financial assistance for victims of flooding from Storm Chandra are being limited to Simon Harris’s Wicklow and James Browne’s Wexford,” he said.
“I want to know why our own local TDs didn’t realise how many victims of Storm Chandra are here in their Rathdown constituency,” he said.
Family rescued by boat from flooded property in Co Wexford
A family with a young baby had to be rescued by boat from a flooded property near the quays in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford on Tuesday morning by a local volunteer group, Olivia Kelleher reports.
Shane O’Connor, chairman of Slaney Search & Rescue in the town, said that it was an extremely stressful situation for the parents of the young child.
“They were stranded in their apartment in Templeshannon Quay. Their baby is just a few months old. They had limited supplies in there for their child and they were also in fear of their power going.
“The grandmother of the child was there as well. They were trapped upstairs.”
Mr O’Connor said they managed to get the couple, their child and a grandmother of the infant in to the boat within 10 minutes.
He said they were quickly brought to safety and will stay with family members for the immediate future.
Slaney Search & Rescue has been in existence for 30 years. The organisation was founded by Mr O’Connor’s father, Harry O’Connor.
Mr O’Connor says he learned all about flooding in Enniscorthy from his father at a young age.
There is an all-too-familiar drill when it happens, he said.
“I have been out on countless floods. We are running two crews today. There was a crew out last night and there is another crew out again today. Unfortunately, I don’t ever see flooding stopping in the town. There is always an excuse why it [the flood relief scheme] doesn’t happen.
“I was talking to a shopkeeper earlier and she was inconsolable. Her business was decimated.”
2,500 homes, farms and businesses without power
Approximately 2,500 homes, farms and businesses remain without power as a result of the storm, a spokesman for ESB Networks said.
“ESB Networks crews have been working throughout the day to restore power to affected customers and will continue to do so into this evening and tonight. Supply will be restored to the vast majority of customers by tonight; however, there may be small pockets of customers without supply overnight,” the spokesman told The Irish Times.
Estimated restoration times will be updated and available on powercheck.ie.
If any customers come across fallen wires or damaged electricity networks, “never, ever touch or approach these as they are live and extremely dangerous,” the spokesman said.
Any damage to electricity infrastructure can be reported by calling 1800 372 999.
Shops in Enniscorthy flooded
Enniscorthy business owner Conor Swaine, who operates the local Btwenty7 cafe, says a number of shops in the town have “about a metre and a half of water” in them following the Storm Chandra flooding, Olivia Kelleher reports.
“I was in our cafe today and got drowned wet. I was freezing cold trying to get the coffee machine out. But I am lucky to be able to go home to my house and have a shower. That wasn’t the case for some people,” he said.
“I have heard quite a bit about giving out about the [Wexford] council. But I can’t see how they could have done any more … At five o’clock on Sunday morning they were out monitoring the river. They closed roads. They had sandbags. They did as much as they could.
“Flooding is very stressful. There is no point in me downplaying it. It can be hard to come back from with no insurance. Any setback is hard to come back from. We are used to this and have grown up with it but it can be devastating,” Mr Swaine added.
Dundalk under ‘severe pressure’, Sinn Féin TD tells Dáil
Louth Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú has raised the issue of the State’s preparedness for extreme weather events in the Dáil and said Dundalk was under “severe pressure”. He warned: “Not only do we need to make sure we deal with the issue of climate change but we have to be able to provide the mitigations that are necessary,” our parliamentary correspondent Marie O’Halloran reports.
Mr Ó Murchú acknowledged Louth County Council and the fire service were doing significant work but he said there was “a huge level of flooding in Bay Estate, Cluan Enda and Castletown Road as well as out by the Carrickdale hotel”, close to the Border.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said “the area of mitigation and adaptation is one we need to focus on more urgently, globally and in Ireland”.
Mr Martin said the weather has been changing. “Climate is changing. The ground is saturated.”
He said after Storm Éowyn a year ago “we did a fundamental review of certain areas – power corridors and so on – and brought in legislation to clarify powers of EirGrid and the ESB vis-a-vis landowners and to have a comprehensive solution to that”.
“There were also generators for Irish Water, generators for community hubs and stronger resourcing of community-based organisations to develop greater resilience on the ground, given the severity of storms that have happened and that are coming our way.
“Storm Chandra is the latest manifestation of that and serious flooding has resulted from it.”
Residents in Rathfarnham describe flooding in their homes and along the roads
In Dublin’s Rathfarnham, floods have yet to recede on Nutgrove Avenue and Grange Park, according to our reporter Katie Mellett.
Ciaran Kirwan, a resident in Grange Park, awoke at 6.30am to discover that water was flooding his home. In his garage, the water was up to his calves, with water flooding his porch and lying beneath the floorboards in some rooms.
Last night, while going to bed and aware of the weather warning, he said he never expected his home to flood.
When cars attempted to come down his road, they only made the situation worse because they caused a ripple effect of water to enter homes, he said.
This morning, the Office of Public Works and the fire brigade were on site, asking for residents to point out homes of elderly neighbours or people living alone.
Mr Kirwan said he saw two of his elderly neighbours being removed from their homes by the fire brigade.
Meanwhile, on Nutgrove Avenue, Nikki Taylor and her daughter Lori were shovelling gravel to the front of their home to protect it from the water pooling on the road outside.
Having lived in the area for 30 years, Ms Taylor said this was the second flood she has seen, the previous one being 15 years ago.
Last night she recalled hearing “loads of wind and rain all night long”.
Eamon O’Dowd, a retiree who has lived in his home nearby for almost 30 years, said he heard the rain last night when he went to bed, but never expected it to be “so bad”.
“It was actually piling down with rain. I thought, oh … This is bad. We’re just not used to this,” he said.
Financial support available to people whose properties have been damaged in Wicklow and Wexford
The Emergency Response Payment is now available to those living in properties affected by Storm Chandra in Co Wicklow and Co Wexford.
Fine Gael TD Brian Brennan said this would be available to people who have had their homes damaged from flooding and are unable to meet the emergency cost for repairs, which can include structural damage.
Levels of payment under the scheme depend on the relative severity of damage experienced and the household’s ability to meet the costs from their own resources.
Stage 1 of the scheme will be available from today until next Wednesday.
“For families already stretched by the cost of living, these unexpected expenses are simply impossible to absorb. This scheme is an essential lifeline,” Mr Brennan said.
Irish Rail says the Rosslare line will remain suspended until Wednesday due to the storm
GAA remains hopeful matches will go ahead
GAA fixture-makers have urged counties to make contact immediately should there be any doubts about the playability of pitches before this weekend’s 31 scheduled National League games.
After Storm Chandra swept across the country, and given the persistent rainfall of recent days, there is concern some pitches could be unplayable for the upcoming second round of league matches.
The GAA remains hopeful all matches will go ahead, but one hurling fixture has already been moved, with Antrim’s home Division 1B match against Clare on Sunday switched from Dunloy to Ruairí Óg, Cushendall.
Gordon Manning has the full report here.
Motorists warned of road closures in several parts of the country due to flooding
Gardaí in Co Wexford are urging the public to stay clear of Enniscorthy Quays, as both bridges are currently closed, Sarah Slater reports. Gardaí are working with Wexford County Council to ensure public safety in the area.
In Co Waterford, there is flooding on the R680 Portlaw. The road is passable, but motorists should drive with “extreme caution in the area”. The R675 at Annestown remains flooded, with the road closed and diversions in place.
In Co Carlow, the N81 road is closed in Rathvilly due to flood waters. Council staff are on site monitoring the location, while the quay area of St Mullins is also flooded, with no access.
Kilkenny County Council is advising that the L1825 Ardaloo Road is closed between Three Castles and Jenkinstown. Annamult in Bennettsbridge is also closed, with likely closures later today on The Quay, Thomastown and Marsh’s Street, Thomastown.
AA Ireland warns of dangerous driving conditions and advises motorists to slow down
AA Ireland is urging motorists to exercise extreme caution due to the heavy rainfall that has affected large parts of the country with flooding, causing poor visibility and dangerous driving conditions.
They advised motorists to reduce speed and increase braking distance, avoid driving through flood water, watch for hidden hazards beneath surface water such as potholes and debris and allow extra time for all journeys.
Heavy rain is “one of the most underestimated driving hazards”, an AA Ireland spokesperson said.
“Slowing down and avoiding unnecessary travel can significantly reduce risk. Our rescue teams are ready to support people throughout the storm, but prevention is the most important step people can take today.”
Good afternoon. I’ll be taking over today’s live blog on Storm Chandra, to bring you more updates throughout the evening.
Around 20 flights have been affected at Dublin Airport today with further disruption possible.
The aiport says that passengers due to fly this aftenoon and evening should contact their airline for flight status updates.
Met Éireann has said that there will be further heavy showers this evening, with forecaster Linda Hughes saying “we are still not over the worst of it”.
“The ground is saturated, there is nowhere for the rain to go,” she said.
“Any further rainfall on top of what we had, could cause some further issues.”
Speaking on RTÉ’s News At One, Ms Hughes said that while there are still some heavy showers to come, the bulk of the overnight rain has cleared away.
In an updated forecast this afternoon, Met Éireann that rain will continue in Ulster early tonight before clearing northwards. Clear spells and showers will follow overnight, mainly over the western half of the country. High river levels and flooding will persist in some regions. The forecaster said fresh to strong south to southwest winds will become southerly and ease and there will be lowest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees.
The Department of Social Protection will assist households affected by flooding and “provide immediate needs payments and others supports where required”, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said in the Dáil.
He added that the Department of Enterprise would look at a business support scheme.
Our Parliamentary Correspondent, Marie O’Halloran, reports:
Mr Martin said that Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford and Cork were “significantly disrupted” but there were “flooding impacts across the country”.
He said Bunclody and Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, in particular had experienced severe flooding and local authority teams were on the ground assisting homes and businesses.
The Taoiseach told Labour leader Ivana Bacik that the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, which coordinates emergency responses, met all the local authorities and other key response agencies, in advance of Storm Chandra to ensure they were prepared.
Ms Bacik asked what urgent support the Government was going to give to help households and businesses affected by Storm Chandra, saying they would be struggling to meet bills.
She referred to a photo of a woman’s car floating in her driveway in South Dublin, and said “Enniscorthy looks like a lake, and the M50 was closed due to flooding earlier”.
She said there were power cuts, battered homes, stalled commutes, and flooded farms but the Government had last week voted down a Labour motion on flexible and remote working to address “the real difficulties that so many people face due to congestion on our roads, difficulties that were absolutely exacerbated today due to weather”.
Flooding in some areas of Dublin, including Rathfarnham, as well as in towns and villages across the country is “indicative of a country without the necessary infrastructure to cope with the changing climate”, Labour TD Ciarán Ahern has said.
The Dublin South-West TD, and Labour’s spokesman on climate, described the floods at Grange Park in Rathfarnham as “shocking and devastating for the community”.
“Thankfully no one was injured, but families have been scrambling to save their possessions as floodwater came up through their floorboards. Cars have been destroyed and someone had to be rescued from a stranded car earlier,” he said.
Mr Ahern said the Whitechurch stream burst its banks before the area was flooded.
“Unfortunately, the Whitechurch flood alleviation scheme commenced construction approximately three years ago, yet it is still not completed,” he said.
Permission granted in late 2020 for the scheme was challenged by the Ballyboden Tidy Towns Group, though the group ultimately failed in its legal challenge, which reached the Supreme Court in 2022.
“The devastation of Storm Chandra underscores Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil’s failure to get serious on climate mitigation infrastructure.
“Ireland’s climate patterns are changing. A year ago we saw the worst storm in decades in Storm Eowyn, which itself was preceded by several storms that should’ve served as warning signs,” Mr Ahern said.
Carlow Weather’s Alan O’Reilly has shared footage from an 84-year-old’s flooded home in Graiguenamanagh, Co Kilkenny.
In December last year, Kilkenny County Council submitted a planning application for the Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch Flood Relief Scheme to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
After receiving funding from the Office of Public Works, the council had appointed engineering and environmental consultants in 2020 to design the scheme for the area following flood events in 2015 and 2016.
More rail services have been cancelled or disrupted due to Storm Chandra, Irish Rail has said.
Dart services are currently delayed by 35 minutes, it said.
The Connolly to Belfast service due to depart shortly before 2pm has been cancelled due to poor weather conditions, while the Enniscorthy to Wexford service has been closed as a result of flooding at several locations.
Rosslare line services remain suspended due to flooding on the line at Enniscorthy, with bus transfers in place.
“All other routes are operating with knock-on delays due to adverse weather conditions,” Irish Rail said.
Meanwhile, Transport Infrastructure Ireland has said a northbound section of the M50 at Junction 16 has been reopened after all lanes were closed due to flooding.
However, some northbound lane closures elsewhere, including at Junction 13 at Dundrum, and between Kilmacanogue and Bray on the M11/N11, have been closed.
Motorists have been warned to expect delays on these routes.
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has said the Government and its agencies need to “ensure that we mitigate the risk of flooding and that there is better climate resilience and adaptation in terms of the works that they prioritise”.
Our Political Editor, Pat Leahy, reports:
However, Mr Chambers pointed to significant sums spent in investment in road infrastructure, and said that the Government would continue to spend money on roads and on public transport.
“We are a government that wants to build out our road network and deliver a lot of the plans that have been there over recent years.
“For the next five years we’ve allocated €24 billion. Nearly one in four euros in capital expenditure is on transport on the economy.
“We know congestion is a serious issue for many people, and obviously the impact of climate exacerbating that … I regret that so many commuters faced excessive delays this morning but that’s why we’re fronting up and investing in infrastructure and in road networks but also in public transport.”
Minister for Housing James Browne has said that flood relief schemes are taking “way too long”, Vivienne Clarke reports.
“It is often the environmental law that is holding up these flood relief schemes right across the country rather than any will or determination by the local authority,” he told RTÉ Radio’s News at One.
“We’ve seen an increased frequency of flooding as a result of the climate crisis. There has been a plan there for too long to deliver a flood defence scheme,” he said of Enniscorthy.
“I’ve been speaking with Minister Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran in relation to it, working with the Wexford County Council as well. So Wexford County Council this year are applying for planning permission to build a new bridge which will allow for the existing bridge to be removed.”
Mr Browne also said he anticipated there will be a need to open a Red Cross scheme to support businesses affected by the flooding.
He said Wexford County Council staff have been working through the night to help “people in a very distressing situation”.
“As I’ve dealt with these families, with these businesses on a regular basis this is a very distressing situation.
“We need to see this flood release scheme put in place as quickly as possible. As I say, the first phase is going to planning this year but there has been numerous holdups with that scheme.”
Devastation caused by floods in Enniscorthy ‘unexplainable’, says local Senator
The River Slaney bursts its banks in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.
Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
The “devastation” caused by floods in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, after the river Slaney burst its banks on Tuesday morning, is “unexplainable”, a local Fine Gael Senator has said.
Cathal Byrne said the main thoroughfare of the town is “completely covered by water” and 350 houses are directly affected, alongside local businesses.
“The devastation of the town is unexplainable. Local businesses have closed and water is now pouring through window levels, let alone through the doors,” he said, speaking on RTÉ Radio’s News at One.
Mr Byrne said there have been “extraordinary scenes”, including a young couple with a newborn baby being rescued from an apartment building on Tuesday afternoon.
Vivienne Clarke reports:
Senator Byrne said crews from Wexford County Council and the local civil defence had been busy deploying sandbags since 3am on Tuesday morning.
“Unfortunately, it is far too little at the moment,” he said.
“It is a really devastating hammer blow for Enniscorthy, and it really is something that should never have got to this stage.”
Mr Byrne said locals are “very frustrated” that planning delays are preventing a flood defence scheme, which was first agreed in 2000.
Since then, there have been nine major floods, he said. After a 2014 flood, €55 million was allocated to the project, though it has not been possible to secure planning permission.
In 2021, an application was rejected over concerns for the freshwater pearl mussel, he said, adding that the “common good” of locals and businesses in Enniscorthy must be “put ahead of environmental concerns like the freshwater pearl mussel”.
The Emergency Response Payment, formerly known as the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, is now available to support households in Co Wexford affected by Storm Chandra, the Department of Social Protection has announced.
The payment provides income-tested financial support to those whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who are unable to meet emergency costs.
Some photos coming in from Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, where the river Slaney burst its banks on Tuesday morning, resulting in significant flooding in surrounding areas.
The River Slaney bursts its banks in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Members of the public are being evacuated from their homes and businesses along the quay area of the town by emergency services, Sarah Slater reports.
Senior engineer for roads at Wexford County Council, Sinéad Casey, said it could be days before the flooding clears in Enniscorthy.
“We haven’t seen this level of water, I’d say for 18 to 20 years,” Ms Casey added.
A car is engulfed in floodwater in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.
Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
The number of homes and businesses without power has fallen to 5,500, according to ESB Networks.
Some 20,000 premises were left without power this morning.
Crews continue to work to restore electricity supply in “challenging conditions”, it said.
There are ongoing delays of more than 40 minutes for some rail services as a result of flooding.
Belfast services are currently operating with delays of up to an hour.
Weather warnings have been issued across Ireland for Storm Chandra as traffic comes to a standstill heading north on the N11. Video: Nick Bradshaw
Flooding brought by Storm Chandra is causing “significant disruption” to commutes, Sean O’Neill, Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s (TII) director of corporate communications has said.
In an update, TII said there is a full road closure on the M50 between Junction 16 at Cherrywood and Junction 12 at Firhouse northbound. It warned motorists to expect delays, while diversions are in place through the N11.
Vivienne Clarke reports:
Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Today with David McCullagh, Mr O’Neill said tanker trucks and pumps are being used to clear water on the M50.
“We’re trying to obviously deal with the situation there with all the flooding and the excessive rain that has happened. It’s caused significant disruption to people’s commutes.
He reiterated his advice that commuters opt to work from home on Tuesday if they can.
“It is going to be difficult travel conditions for the day. I’d say this is going to continue for a few hours more. But the crews are on site. We’re dealing with it additionally on the M11, Junction 8. There’s been a significant amount of flooding there,” he said.
Some more photos coming in of flooding near the Dropping Well pub in Milltown. The river Dodder burst its banks on Tuesday morning.
Storm Chandra: The Dodder burst its banks at Milltown, Dublin 6, flooding a field at the Dropping Well pub. Photograph: Joe Humphreys
Motorists contend with heavy flooding near Belfast International airport on Tuesday in Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
In Northern Ireland, more than 300 schools have been closed and at least 30 flights have been cancelled at Belfast City Airport.
A yellow rainfall alert is currently in place for counties Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Derry and Tyrone until midnight.
An amber wind warning for counties Antrim, Down and Derry is in effect until 9pm
Translink has warned that passengers should allow for delays and possible disruption to their journey.
The public have been warned of danger to life from flying debris, large waves at coasts, travel disruption, buildings damage, flooding, fallen trees, and possible power cuts.
Northern Ireland Electricity said about 10,000 properties are currently without power.
Police said persistent rain has led to flooding on a number of roads. – PA
Locals in Aughrim, Co Wicklow say they have been left “trapped” in their homes, while several schools have closed and an event aimed at tackling flooding has been cancelled.
Locals living in the area have described several roads as “impassible” and have reported cars submerged in water.
In a local community support group online, some locals, who said their houses had been flooded, sought lodging for the coming days.
One woman said she and others living in her area are “basically trapped in our homes”, adding that she was awaiting assistance from emergency services.
Sacred Heart National School in Aughrim, along with several other nearby schools, has closed for the day due to “health and safety reasons due to flooding on most access roads”, according to its parents’ association.
Wicklow County Council said due to “severe flooding” in Aughrim, it has postponed a launch of an EU project aimed at tackling the growing risk of floods or drought across Europe.
The Aughrim River catchment was selected as a study area for the EU Horizon Spongeworks project.
It aims to address flooding, drought and biodiversity decline by using techniques to protect and enhance the soils capacity to soak up rainfall like a sponge.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected. We’ll announce a new date soon. For now, the focus remains on supporting the community and local authorities,” it said.
Flood risks will “persist for the rest of the week”, according to Met Éireann, due to continued rainfall and slow drainage.
Speaking to reporters in advance of a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning, Tánaiste Simon Harris thanked crews seeking to restore power and defended the Government’s record in preparing for storms.
Cormac McQuinn reports:
Harris said there is an increase in the frequency of extreme weather and “we’re seeing the consequences of that.”
He said a lot of work has been done since Storm Éowyn including in the area of local authority planning. He said some local authorities at the time of that storm last year had “really good local resilience plans and quite frankly others left a lot to be desired in terms of local plans.”
He said it is important there is “consistency” around this.
Harris also said decisions have been made around the provision of emergency generators and there has been investment in community infrastructure like sports clubs and other facilities that can be “put to use at a time of a weather emergency.”
He said delivery of “critical infrastructure” like energy and water supplies must be streamlined and “that’s why we have the accelerated infrastructure taskforce report” and legislation arising from it that means there can be “a faster planning process”.
“I think that helps with the resilience our country needs too,” he said.
There is significant travel disruption across the Bray area of Co Wicklow this morning, while gardaí have warned that Kilmaconogue village is “completely flooded”, Sarah Slater reports.
Fire services are on scene working to clear a fallen tree on the Beech Road, which is currently impassable.
Meanwhile, heavy flooding is causing delays on the N11 northbound between the Roundwood junction and Avoca Handweavers.
Gardaí are advising the public avoid Kilmacanogue village, saying it is “completely flooded and down to one lane on the N11″.
Separately, Carlow County Council chief executive officer Coilín O’Reilly is advising locals “not to drive through floods” due to crews having to rescue motorists from cars.
Numerous roads across the county are being reported as impassable. Overnight fire crews were out trying to pump water out of houses in Carlow.
The river Slaney in Enniscorthy, which burst its banks on Tuesday morning, is still rising, so it is a “wait and see” situation, according to a Wexford County Council engineer.
Vivienne Clarke reports:
Sinéad Casey said the flooding impact is quite large in Enniscorthy town, the quays, New Bridge, Island Road and Templeshannon, as well as part of the old N11 at the promenade and the promenade itself.
“Everything is impassable around the river,” she told RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland.
Sandbags had been distributed and the council liaised with relevant businesses and property owners last night.
Ms Casey advised people to stay out of flooded areas and to travel with the utmost care.
Several schools have closed in south county Dublin due to “serious flooding” on the Enniskerry Road, according to a local councillor.
Several Dublin Bus routes have been diverted or affected due flooding and fallen trees.
Inbound services on routes 27, 56A, 74, 77A, 150, and 151 are being diverted via Kevin Street, Georges Street and Dame Street due to the closure of Patrick Street until further notice.
Separately, route L14 cannot serve Palermo due to a fallen tree, while route 44 cannot serve Stepaside due to flooding. Route 15b cannot serve certain stops due to flooding at Stocking Avenue.
Dublin Fire Brigade is currently responding to water rescue incidents in Kilternan, Hunters Wood, Firehouse, Sandyford and Nutgrove in Rathfarnham, Sarah Slater reports.
Life risk emergencies are currently being “prioritised” by Dublin Fire Brigade, it said.
Several cars are submerged in water on the Dodder Road, where this is significant flooding.
A Transport Infrastructure Ireland official has urged people to consider working from home on Tuesday as Storm Chandra has caused significant problems on main routes, Vivienne Clarke reports.
Sean O’Neill, Director of Corporate Communications, said there is just one lane open on the M50 between the Firhouse and Dundrum junctions following a collision.
“We ask everyone who needs to use that section of the M50 to please, if they can, delay their journey, take some time at home, talk to your employer.
“It’s just not going to be productive time spent. We have crews on site, we’re dealing with the incident, but I do not have a time yet on when the issue will be resolved,” he told RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland.
“Additionally, in the village of Kilmacanogue, there’s significant flooding into and around Junction 8 on the N11, so again we ask people to please delay their journey this morning if they can, because there is significant traffic disruption right now.”
Mr O’Neill said it would take time to resolve these “significant” events.
“So we do ask people to please think about their commute this morning and maybe delaying it if they can because you’re not going to be going anywhere fast.”
The river Slaney in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, has burst its banks with the Promenade, Island Road and Shannon Quay closed to traffic, Sarah Slater reports.
Sandbags are being deployed across the town and it is feared worse flooding is to come as high tide is expected at around 11.30am.
Senator Cathal Byrne is urging the public to follow advice from gardaí, Wexford County Council and emergency services to avoid the area.
Senator Byrne criticised the lack of a flood relief scheme for the town.
“It is beyond scandalous that yet again our town is under flooding. I again call for the Enniscorthy Flood Defense Scheme to be delivered for the town without delay,” he said.
The council has said routes currently closed due to flooding include the N80 in Bunclody, Clohamon, and the Enniscorthy quays. It is urging motorists to use alternative routes which are signposted.
Gardaí in Wexford warned that “due to heavy rain and high tides, there are numerous issues of flooding and surface water on roads throughout the county”.
Meanwhile, Waterford City and County Council said due to persistent rainfall and strong winds, flood defence barriers have been activated in Waterford city.
The situation in Passage East and Tramore Promenade is being monitored and flood defence barriers will be activated if required.
Several car parks in Dungarvan have been closed due to a risk of flooding.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland has warned of flooding at several locations, and advised motorists to “observe extra caution”.
20,000 premises without power
Some 20,000 homes and businesses have been left without power due to Storm Chandra, ESB Networks has said.
Crews have been mobilised and are working to assess the damage and restore supply, it said.
“We acknowledge the disruption to family and commercial life this causes and thank impacted customers for their patience as our crews work to safely restore power.”
In an update, Irish Rail has said delays of up to 40 minutes can be expected for services across the network due to flooding at several locations.
Phoenix Park Tunnel has reopened, it said, with services resuming to Grand Canal Dock, though delays are expected.
Gusts of up to 124km/h recorded in Co Donegal
Wind gusts of up to 124km/h have been recorded Co Donegal, according to Met Éireann meteorologist Gerry Murphy.
Vivienne Clarke reports:
Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland, Mr Murphy said a mean wind speed of 92km/h and a “very severe gust” of 124km/h were recorded in Malin Head this morning.
This alongside an “awful lot of rain” overnight, particularly in Dublin, with 30mm of rain falling in Phoenix Park since midnight.
“So overall the impact is the risk of flooding and the continued risk of flooding as we go through the rest of today and tonight,” he said.
Mr Murphy said showers are expected to continue throughout the day, with windier conditions expected in Munster later on Tuesday.
A gradual improvement in conditions is expected overnight as the rain and winds brought by Storm Chandra ease, he said.
Dublin Airport has said strong winds are affecting flight operations this morning, warning there could be disruption to flight schedules.
‘Major disruptions’ expected to rail services
“Major disruptions” are expected to Dart and commuter services on Tuesday morning due to reports of flooding at several locations in Dublin, Irish Rail has warned.
Flooding has been reported at several stations including Broombridge, Lansdown, Donabate and Blackrock.
“DART, Commuter & Intercity services can expect significant delays due to flooding at several locations,” Irish Rail said on X.
It warned of delays of up to 20 minutes for Dart, Maynooth, Sligo, and Rosslare services due to flooding and associated speed restrictions.
The Phoenix Park Tunnel has been closed due to flooding, with services from Hazelhatch and Newbridge being diverted into Heuston Station.
In Northern Ireland, an amber wind warning is in place for counties Antrim, Down and Derry as “very strong winds” from Storm Chandra bring “potential for damage and disruption”.
The entirety of the North is also under a yellow wind and rain warning.
The UK Met Office advised the public to expect longer journey times and likely cancellations on road, rail, air and ferry services.
The storm has the potential to damage buildings, with flying roof tiles and other debris posing a danger to life.
It said there is a “good chance that power cuts may occur” which could affect other services such as mobile phone coverage.
Forecasters also warned that some communities could be cut off by flooded roads, with outbreaks of rain spreading across Northern Ireland on Tuesday, potentially even falling as snow for a time on the highest ground.
A status yellow wind warning covering the entire country came into effect at 3am and lasts until 11pm on Tuesday as Storm Chandra hits Ireland.
Met Éireann said winds associated with the storm will be “very strong and gusty”, particularly on coasts and in exposed areas.
These winds could potentially cause fallen trees and loose debris, hazardous travel conditions, and wave overtopping in coastal and river areas.
Meanwhile, a status yellow rain warning has been issued for counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow and Waterford.
Met Éireann warned that bands of rain associated with Storm Chandra will be heavy and persistent in these counties, with rain falling on already saturated ground.
This could lead to possible localised flooding and river flooding.