Heavy flooding has forced the closure of a stretch of motorway in Cork and Tipperary, with Met Éireann’s yellow weather warning for heavy rain in place for 13 counties until midnight on Monday night.
The yellow weather warning is in place for all counties in Connacht, as well as counties Clare, Cork, Limerick, Longford, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford and Westmeath.
Downpours in some areas have given rise to spot flooding. AA Roadwatch said it is currently wet on the roads in much of the country.
Total bedlam on the M8 this evening at skeheenarinky, #Tipperary #floods pic.twitter.com/o28QB3l5cK
— Kay English Curtin (@KayCurtin1) October 14, 2019
“It takes longer to brake on wet roads, so slow down and leave extra space between you and the vehicle in front,” said a spokesman. “Only drive through surface water if you know it’s not too deep for your vehicle.”
In Cork and Tipperary, the M8 is now closed in both directions between J12 Mitchelstown North and J11 Cahir South due to severe flooding on the route. Diversions are in place.
There is also spot flooding on the N86 near Tralee, and very wet conditions reported on the M7 in Tipperary. Very wet conditions have also been reported around Cork City, with surface water likely on some routes.
Met Éireann said heavy rain and torrential downpours will result in flooding in parts of east Munster tonight.
The forecaster said there would be scattered outbreaks of rain tonight with some heavy bursts at first and local spot flooding. However, the rain will tend to become lighter and patchier as the night progresses with good dry periods developing.
Earlier, Met Éireann warned the rainfall could cause flooding as the ground is saturated following a very wet autumn to date. Between 1.5 and twice the normal amount of rainfall fell last week.
Spot flooding on the N72 near the Cork Racecourse, outside of Mallow earlier has now subsided.
Tuesday morning will see mist and fog lifting with sunnier spells across most of the country. Met Éireann said it is expected to be dry in most places during the day, with patches of wet and windy weather moving across the country from the west by the evening.
The outlook for the rest of the week is dry with some light rain with heavier downpours affecting counties along the Atlantic coast, Met Éireann has said.
