Status Orange Rainfall Warning Issued for Cork and Kerry
Expect significant flooding, hazardous roads and poor visibility until 6pm.
Met Éireann has issued an Orange level rainfall warning for Cork and Kerry, with significant accumulations expected on high ground and the highest totals anticipated in Kerry and West Cork.
The warning, issued this morning at 08:55, will come into effect at 03:00 tomorrow morning (Sunday 14 December) and remain in place until 18:00 tomorrow evening.
Heavy rain will affect Ireland from today through to midnight on Sunday night, with Cork forming part of a wider weather event impacting the western seaboard.
Meteorologist Gerry Murphy said:
"The heavy, persistent rainfall forecasted will bring a high risk of river flooding across western parts of Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Galway, Mayo and Donegal for Saturday 13th, Sunday 14th and into Monday 15th December, as the soils are saturated and river levels high."
The national weather service has warned of significant river and surface water flooding as a result of the expected rainfall. Motorists are advised to expect hazardous travelling conditions and poor visibility throughout the affected areas.
Gerry Murphy added:
"In recent weeks, the weather over Ireland has been very unsettled with spells of heavy rain moving across the country. Many rivers are swollen and approaching bank-full conditions."
A weather front will move eastwards over Ireland today, becoming slow-moving over the country. Spells of heavy rain will feed in from the southwest through tonight, tomorrow and for a time on Sunday night, before eventually clearing early on Monday.
Cork and Kerry are the only counties under an Orange level warning, reflecting the highest rainfall totals expected in these areas. Yellow level rainfall warnings have been issued for other counties.
An Orange warning is the second-highest level of alert issued by Met Éireann and indicates that weather conditions pose a threat to life and property. The public are advised to take action to protect themselves and their property from the impacts of severe weather.
Residents in flood-prone areas should monitor local conditions closely and consider moving vehicles to higher ground where possible. Those planning to travel through Cork or Kerry this weekend should allow extra time for journeys and exercise caution on the roads.
