Another Yellow Warning for rain is now in effect for County Wicklow, and is forecast to last until midnight tonight, with 30-40 mm of rain possible today. Met Eireann’s Flood Forecasting Centre has assessed the risk of river flooding to be high for Wicklow across the full weekend.
Rivers across county Wicklow are currently very full, this combined with continued heavy rains and drenched soils may create further accumulations of both surface and river water.
Between Thursday 22nd January and Wednesday 28th January, there has been an accumulated rainfall of 79.6mm in the county.
With today’s yellow warning, combined with already saturated lands and rivers, this creates a continued high risk of flooding for the Ovoca Vartry and Slaney catchments, in particular the following areas over the course of the bank holiday weekend:
- Aughrim
- Baltinglass
- Arklow
- Wicklow Town
- Rathnew
- Newtownmountkennedy
- Greystones
- Delgany
- Kilcoole
This is an ongoing response situation for Wicklow County Council. Our teams remain vigilant, monitoring situation to assess potential impacts in the county, and in particular for the recently flood-affected areas.
We remain ready to respond to the ongoing flooding situation as issues may occur. Repair work is still ongoing around the county, to damaged roads, pipes, and manholes. We continue to engage with business owners and residents.
We are urging all motorists and commuters to please travel carefully over the weekend, as weather events and flooding have caused debris to be washed out on to road surfaces, and damage has been caused.
Difficult travel conditions are expected over the coming days, and motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and to reduce speed. Do not by-pass Road Closed signs, these roads are unsafe and damage may be hidden beneath water, and you may be putting your life at risk. Do not drive through floodwater, turn back and use alternative routes.
We recommend checking with Transport Operators before planning journeys and to monitor forecasts over the coming days, as conditions may change quickly.
Keep children and pets away from waterways and flooded areas. Stay back from riverbanks, streams, and coastal areas – water levels can rise quickly. Keep away from coastal edges, harbours, piers, and low-lying promenades during high tide.
The Irish Coast Guard advice remains: 'Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry.'
Check in with neighbours, older people or anyone who may need assistance in case conditions worsen.
Regular updates on conditions across Wicklow will be shared on social media and the website.
The Irish Red Cross Scheme is now open for applications from businesses, social and community premises impacted by flooding and Storm Chandra – details available at Redcross.ie/StormChandra