Major national road in Laois 'impassable' due to flooding

A major road in Laois is impassable due to flooding on Wednesday, November 22 around noon. 

AA Roadwatch has reported that the N80 Stradbally/Portlaoise Rd is impassable due to flooding.

#LAOIS N80 Stradbally/Portlaoise Rd impassable due to flooding https://t.co/PSzIBsvOzE

— AA Roadwatch (@aaroadwatch) November 22, 2017

It is an extremely wet across the country, with a Status Yellow Rain Warning in place for Munster and Leinster until 9pm today.

Excess surface water and flooding have been reported in Portlaoise, Mountmellick, Portarlington and Mountrath.

Laois County Fire and Rescue Service is currently attending flooding all over the county with the help of staff from Laois County Council and Civil Defense. 

Flooding has forced the closure of Laois schools on health and safety grounds.

Leave plenty of extra time for your journey, slow down and remember that your stopping distance is longer in wet conditions.

The Clodiagh River in Clonaslee has burst through a damaged wall and is gushing onto the road near homes and the church. Watch footage of the damage here.

Widespread flooding incidents around the county, extreme caution is needed on the roads. Crews are in attendance around the county.

— Laois Fire & Rescue (@LaoisFireRescue) November 22, 2017

Read general weather report: Heavy rain and flooding followed by polar conditions possibly snow.

The latest weather update from Met Eireann says that rain will continue for Leinster and Munster today.

Heavy rain will continue for Leinster and Munster, but it will gradually ease from the north and west through the afternoon. It will still be mild for much of the time with highs of 9 to 12 degrees but turning colder everywhere by evening. Winds becoming lighter by the afternoon. pic.twitter.com/oDwAS1Syw9

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) November 22, 2017