All areas at risk of flooding regardless of warnings, emergency group says

There is a risk of flooding “across the country”, according to the Government’s emergency planners, with weather warnings applying to 18 counties.

A spell of heavy rainfall overnight from Tuesday and throughout Wednesday will be falling on already saturated ground and rivers close to bursting banks.

Met Eireann has issued several yellow-level warnings in which members of the public were told there is a flood risk in 17 counties.

However, the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management said: “Flooding is a risk across the country due to the current conditions.

“Whether or not a yellow rain warning is in place for a county, all areas will remain at risk of flooding.”

On Tuesday morning, Met Eireann issued a yellow warning for rain applying to all of Leinster as well as Cavan, Monaghan, Cork, Tipperary and Waterford.

The warning will be in effect between 11pm on Tuesday and 11pm on Wednesday.

It is a significant expansion of the advisory which was first announced on Monday.

The forecasting agency said there is a risk of flooding, poor visibility and difficult travelling conditions in these areas, which are also experiencing high river levels.

The inclement conditions will be exacerbated by strong and gusty south-easterly winds in five of these counties.

Wexford, Wicklow, Meath, Louth and Dublin will also be under a yellow warning for wind, with Met Eireann also cautioning against wave overtopping amid high tides.

The wind warning is between 11pm on Tuesday and 1pm on Wednesday.

The double warning applies to areas in the east of the country which have been severely affected by flooding in recent weeks.

A third yellow warning for rain applies to Donegal between 2am and 2pm on Wednesday, with Met Eireann warning that falls of sleet and snow are possible.

Some wintry precipitation is also possible over high ground in Wicklow.