Heavy Rain And Strong Winds Cause Disruption


Flooding is reported in several counties this morning following a night of heavy rain and strong winds.  

Spot flooding and fallen trees have caused traffic delays particularly in parts of counties Mayo, Clare, Cavan, Laois, Carlow and Wicklow.  

AA Roadwatch is advising motorists to drive with caution on all routes.

One of the worst affected areas is County Dublin. There is flooding on the M50 southbound between the Sandyford and Leopardstown exits.  Power cuts also affected parts of north County Dublin last night.

An additional 10-15mm of rain is expected to fall today while winds also are expected to pick up, particularly in counties Clare and Kerry where gusts of higher than 65kph can be expected.

AA Update:
*N81/CARLOW* A tree is down on the N81 Tullow/Dublin Rd northbound at McGraths Cross, 4km north of Tullow.
*WICKLOW* Spot flooding on the N11/Wexford/Dublin Rd northbound at Kilmacanogue. The Bray/Enniskerry Rd (R117) is impassable due to fallen trees.
*LAOIS* Fallen trees on the N80/Mountmellick/Portlaoise Rd and the Stradbally/Vicarstown Rd (R427).
*N17/GALWAY* A fuel spill is being treated in Claregalway Village on the N17/Tuam/Galway Rd. Conditions are hazardous.
*KILDARE* A tree is down on the Kildare/Kildangan Rd. *MEATH* The local road from Churchtown to the N2 outside Ardee is blocked by a fallen tree.
*CORK CITY* Churchyard Lane in Ballintemple is closed following the collapse of a wall at the Temple Hill jct. * Spot flooding on the Sarsfield Rd at the South Ring Rd jct.  Excess surface water on Centre Park Rd. *GALWAY* No major delays reported around Galway City at this stage.  A one-way system is in operation on Seamus Quirke Rd/Bishop O'Donnell Rd until Mon 25th April 2011.
*LIMERICK* No major delays to report for Limerick City at this point.
*WATERFORD* No delays to report in Waterford City at this point. * At 9:15am, a bridge lift is scheduled for Rice Bridge. Delays of up to 15 mins are expected on Ferrybank DCW. *DUBLIN* See 'Dublin Summary'. 
Tree down in Roscrea, Co Tipperary. Pic from Caroline

According to iWeather Online contributor Fergal Tierney: “Three weather stations - Roches Point, Cork Airport and Valentia – recorded wind gusts of 108kph (67mph/58kts)  last night.   Belmullet and Malin Head recorded gusts of 104.5kph (65mph/56kts).  The same three stations also recorded the most rainfall award too. Cork Airport on 29mm, Valentia on 26mm and Roches Point on 23mm.”  More info.

Meanwhile, UK Police are dealing with a "major flooding incident" around St Austell, in Cornwall, after the River Fowey burst its banks.  Reports say other parts of the county including Bodmin, Par, Luxulyan, Lostwithiel, St Blazey and St Blazey Gate are affected.

Commenting on today’s weather, iWeather Online forecaster Peter O’Donnell said: “Today will be mostly cloudy with showers becoming more persistent and turning to steady rain for some.  Winds will abate briefly before increasing again to about 30-40 mph, which will not be anything like overnight winds which peaked at around 108kph.  There will possibly be a few stronger gusts near the Clare and Kerry coasts, from a Southwest direction. Rather chilly by mid-day with temperatures levelling off around 7-8 C. Rainfalls totals of 10-15 mms can be expected.”
Video of last night's conditions in Crosshaven, Cork - submitted by Gbee
 

Email us at editor@irishweatheronline.com with your weather story or pictures.