Laois severe weather team warns of flooding as 'saturated' county placed under 24-hour Met Éireann rain alert

The Laois Severe Weather Assessment Team has warned of the flood risk faced by Laois following the issuing of a new Status Yellow alert for Laois and eight other counties issued by Met Éireann.

The Met Éireann Status Yellow alert says Laois, Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Louth, Wexford, Monaghan, Tipperary can expect further rain between 3 am on Thursday and 3 pm on Friday.

The alert says saturated ground, high river levels and high tides will lead to:

• Localised flooding
• River flooding
• Difficult travel conditions

On foot of the warning, the Laois Severe Weather Team has issued advice to the public in a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"While river levels have receded recently, levels remain high in places. Coupled with completely saturated lands, forecast rainfall may give rise to localised and/or river flooding. River flooding could occur during the period of the yellow rain warning and/or over the the 24 hour period after the warning has expired," it said.

The team highlights the flood-prone towns of Portarlington and Mountmellick.

"For flood vulnerable areas, including Portarlington and Mountmellick, please follow river levels at www.waterlevel.ie In these areas, where river levels remain below the ‘median level’, there is limited risk of flooding. Further advice will issue if levels exceed the median levels in Portarlington or Mountmellick," it said.

The local authority also cautioned drivers.

"Please note that recent flooding has caused significant damage to the road network, particularly sections of the local road network. Motorists are urged to exercise caution.

"Please drive with care, taking account of prevailing conditions, and avoid any areas where the road ahead is flooded," it said.

Met Éireann has also issued Status Orange Alerts for counties Waterford and Wicklow.

READ ALSO: Two counties hit with Orange weather warnings as experts say 'sadly' more flooding likely

Met Éireann national forecast issued at 11.30am on February 4 

Wednesday: Cloudy generally but a few bright or sunny spells in the south and west. Lingering rain and drizzle in the north and north-east will slowly clear by early afternoon. A few showers will drift in across Munster and south Leinster, being most frequent and possibly heavy across the southwest. Highs of 6 to 10 degrees in moderate easterly breezes, fresher for southern and eastern coasts. There will be a continued possibility of flooding in places due to a combination of already saturated ground, high river levels and high tides.

Largely dry for much of the night with a mix of cloud and clear spells and occasional showers though showers will be more frequent early on in the southwest. Cloud will build from the south with rain moving into Munster and south Leinster by morning. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees with moderate to fresh easterly winds increasing strong in the south and east by morning.

Thursday: A wet and rather windy day with outbreaks of rain becoming widespread through the morning, heaviest and most frequent in the southeast and east through the day where it will also be windiest as fresh to strong and gusty easterly winds reach near gale force at times near southern and eastern coasts. Winds will ease mostly moderate to fresh from the south later. Highest temperatures of 5 to 10 degrees.

Cloudy night with further outbreaks of rain, staying heaviest and most frequent in the southeast and east. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 7 degrees in moderate to fresh and gusty easterly winds, strong near eastern and northeastern coasts.

Friday: A cloudy start with outbreaks of rain, gradually becoming confined to Ulster as sunny spells and scattered showers follow from the south, some of which will be heavy or possibly thundery. Highest temperatures of 6 to 10 degrees generally, a little cooler in Ulster. Moderate to fresh east or southeast winds will be strong at times near northeastern and northern coasts. MORE BELOW PHOTO OF FLOODING AROUND PORTARLINGTON.

Picture: Con Murphy

Largely cloudy night with showers or showery outbreaks of rain, most frequent in the south and east. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 7 degrees. Some mist and hill fog will form in mostly light to moderate easterly breezes.

Saturday: Some uncertainty but further showers or outbreaks of rain are likely, with the best of the drier spells later in the day. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees generally in mostly light to moderate easterly or variable breezes.

Sunday: Overnight fog may be slow to clear some places in the morning. Otherwise a mix of cloud and sunny spells with well scattered showers. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees with light to moderate southeasterly or variable breezes.

Further Outlook: Early next week is signalled to continue unsettled.

Public Safety Advice from Met Éireann as follows:

• Monitor Met Éireann forecasts – conditions may change quickly. 
• Information is also available across the Met Éireann App, social media platforms (@meteireann) and bulletins.
• Check local authority websites and social media channels for information on road closures, flooding updates, and community alerts.
• Allow for disruption when travelling. Plan extra travel time and reduce speed.
• Expect surface water, debris and poor visibility.
• Do not bypass Road Closed signs – the road ahead is unsafe, the damage may be hidden beneath water, and you may be putting your life at risk.
• Do not drive through floodwater – turn back and use another route.
• Check with Transport Operators when planning journeys
• Stay back from riverbanks, streams and canals – water levels may rise quickly.
• Keep children and pets away from waterways and flooded areas.
• Keep away from coastal edges, harbours, piers and low-lying promenades during high tide.
• The Irish Coast Guard advice remains: “Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry.”
• Check in with neighbours, older people or anyone who may need assistance in case conditions worsen.

Visit https://www.met.ie/ for the most up to date information.