Areas along the east coast were the worst affected by flooding yesterday.
Wexford: The most extensive flooding in the south-east was in Co Wexford, with many roads impassable for a number of hours and extensive flood damage caused to many houses and several commercial properties.
Considerable damage was caused to properties and businesses in the village of Blackwater. It was cut off for a time, and children were brought to school by tractor. A late high tide had villagers back on alert last night.
A number of major roads were also affected. While the N11 route remained open, many roads were severely flooded, including the Gorey to Wexford road, with part of it collapsing at the Buffer's Alley GAA pitch. The Ferns-Bunclody and Gorey-Arklow routes were also affected.
In Gorey, Esmonde Street was impassable and the Garden City area was threatened by rising water.
Meath: There was widespread flooding on minor roads. The Civil Defence was on standby in Dunboyne.
Meath County Council is operating a 24-hour emergency service for householders. All fire brigade units were on duty to keep main roads and some smaller side roads clear. Areas affected included Donore, where there were complaints that the county council had failed to provide sandbags for some older people.
Wicklow: Several shops and houses in Arklow were seriously damaged. From early morning town council staff were sandbagging houses and shop doors in the lower parts of the town as the drains were unable to take the volume of water.
The Brook, Lower Main Street and Tinahask on the southside, and Dublin Road and Worsboro Terrace on the northside were among the areas worst affected. Following flooding two years ago, a flood study report proposed short-term measures costing €138,000, and long-term measures costing €3.3 million.