Storm Frank’s heavy rains to increase flood risk

There is a strong risk of further flooding across the country with more heavy rain forecast for the rest of the week.

The unsettled weather is set to continue as Storm Frank reaches Ireland, with rain forecast to be widespread across the country today and into tomorrow morning, accompanied by strong winds.

It will turn cold everywhere, with slight to sharp ground frost leading to a risk of icy patches on untreated surfaces.

Met Éireann is forecasting that twice to three times the average amount of rainfall will fall in the next week.

Rain in recent days has seen levels on the lower River Shannon rise 100mm (four inches), though this is still significantly below the peak that occurred in the immediate aftermath of Storm Desmond on December 13th.

It has been an extraordinarily wet month so far, with Mount Dillon and Mullingar weather stations recording more than twice the monthly average rainfall for December already, with more to come.

Hail showers

The rest of the week will follow a similar pattern.

Thursday, which is New Year’s Eve, will be cold, with showers of rain or hail spreading eastwards. New Year’s Day will see showers in western areas.

Met Éireann forecaster Harm Luijkx has estimated that 50-100mm (two to four inches) of rain could fall across the country between now and next weekend.

“The general pattern of weather is not settling down,” he said, adding that the west and southwest are likely to be worst affected by the rain.

Mr Luijkx said that "more rain is only going to make things worse", as the land is already saturated.

Parts of the country that have seen the worst of the flooding in recent weeks are preparing themselves for further rain.

Yesterday the ESB said that, due to high levels of rainfall in recent days, the water level in Lough Derg had again risen.

Consequently, the flow of water through Parteen Weir was increased from 370 cumecs (cubic metres per second) to 405 cumecs.

The ESB said that the situation will be reviewed again today.

Limerick City and County Council senior engineer Vincent Murray said standard operating and response procedures are in place in the event of localised flooding incidents occurring.

On alert

Council staff are continuing pumping operations at Castleconnell and Montpelier.

The council remains on alert to ensure that the necessary responses can be immediately activated in the event of flooding during the coming days.

Mr Murray said: “In the meantime, we are advising members of the public to exercise caution in the vicinity of waterways during the Christmas period due to forecasts of heavy rain and higher than average tides.”

In a statement on Saturday evening, Westmeath County Council warned that water levels in the River Shannon had risen more than 8cm in the previous three days, and predicted that levels around the greater Athlone area may rise by a further 10cm by Wednesday.

It said all flood defences are being maintained, pumping is ongoing and accommodation and transport are available as required.

Leitrim County Council said it will continue to monitor levels on the River Shannon.