Status orange weather warning issued as widespread flooding reported

Met Éireann has issued a status orange rainfall warning, its second most serious category, for Dublin, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, Meath and Monaghan.

Flooding has already been reported in parts of counties Wicklow, Wexford, Sligo, Waterford and Cork as heavy rain sweeps across the country.

The warning will remain in place until 9am tomorrow. Further spells of heavy rain are forecast in all areas tonight.

Road users are being advised of hazardous driving conditions as heavy rains are expected to cause localised flooding in many parts of the country.

Dublin is seeing spot flooding on the Garristown to Ashbourne Road.

According to Irish Rail, flooding on the Belfast line has caused delays of about 20 minutes on Dundalk services and between 30 minutes to an hour on Enterprise services.

In Carlow, flooding has been reported on the N81 Tullow to Baltinglass Road at Rathvilly.

In Co Meath, all lanes on the M1 Belfast to Dublin Road southbound between J8 Duleek and the Toll Plaza have been reopened. The M2 Dublin to Monaghan Road northbound off-ramp at J3 Ashbourne South has been flooded over, and the road is impassable between the Ashbourne roundabout and Kilmoon Cross.

Flooding has been reported in Julianstown Village on the Old Dublin to Swords Road and in Clonee Village. The Ballybin Road between Ratoath and Ashbourne is closed due to flooding, as is Milltown Road.

The Slane to Grangegeeth Road is impassable due to flooding, and there have been reports of flooding on the Navan Road at the water tower in Dunshaughlin.

There is also flooding on the Ninemile Stone to Ratoath Road, and on the road between Donore and the Newgrange Visitor’s Centre.

In Westmeath, flooding has occurred on the M6 Galway to Dublin Road eastbound at J11 Athlone Centre.

In Co Wicklow, flooding has been reported on the Sally Gap to Laragh Road, which has been made impassable at various points, especially around Glenmacnas. There is flooding on the Glendalough to Hollywood Road between Laragh and Glendalough, and on the Rathdrum to Laragh Road at the turn off for Greenan.

In Co Wexford, there is flooding along some stretches of the N11 Dublin to Wexford Road south of Enniscorthy.

In Co Kildare, there is a stop/go system on the Straffan to Kill Road at the Blue Door due to flooding. Main Street in Leixlip is currently impassable due to flooding, which is also taking place on the Newcastle to Celbridge Road.

Waterford City and County Council says there is flooding on Dunmore East road to Gaultier Cross.

In Co Sligo flooding has been reported on the Coolaney to Collooney Road, the Enniscrone to Sligo Road at Killeenduff and at Frankford on the Ballina to Tobercurry Road.

In Louth flooding has been reported on the M1 at J12 Dunleer, on Wellington Quay in Drogheda, and on the N2 Dublin to Monaghan Road at Hunterstown. Ecco Road in Dundalk has also been closed due to floods.

In Down, floods have made Bridge Street in Newry impassible.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland is warning motorists that the Hillhall Road, Lisburn, is flooded in both directions and to avoid the area and seek alternative routes until further notice. It also urges motorists to avoid Parkway at its junction with Holywood Road because there are vehicles with burst tyres due to displaced manholes caused by flooding in the area. The PSNI earlier advised motorists throughout Northern Ireland to exercise extreme caution when driving this afternoon and evening due to heavy rain, and to reduce their speed, keep a safe distance, allow extra braking time and use headlights.