The threat of further flooding in the south-east of Ireland is “very high” in the coming days local communities have been warned.
A forecast for more heavy rain on Monday evening and into Tuesday for counties Waterford, Cork, Carlow, and Kilkenny, is to be followed by more rain for Wicklow, Dunlin and Louth on Tuesday.
Due to persistent rainfall in recent weeks, rain is falling on already saturated ground with nowhere for the water to go.
On Monday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited counties in the south-east where he assessed the damage caused by Strom Chandra last week with many areas still affected by flooding.
The National Emergency Co-Ordination Group (NECG) met on Monday to prepare for further flooding this week. The NECG said that rain will fall on saturated ground where river levels are high with high tides expected this week.
This could lead to further flooding along rivers and in coastal areas. High spring tides over the coming days, combined with strong winds and surge, may cause coastal flooding.
Many small businesses and organisations are eligible for the Emergency Humanitarian Flooding Scheme. The government is seeking to increase the upper limit for payment under the scheme from €20,000 to €100,000.
Peak levels of rainfall this week will leave their mark on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Unfortunately, I think the risk from flooding is very high across the east region and the south-east region in the coming days,” NECG chairperson Keith Leonard told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.
“We’re watching all the catchments; the Slaney catchment in particular; the Liffey catchment,”
“But really right across the east region, even up to Cavan and Monaghan, flooding is likely in all of those areas.”
He added that areas around Wexford and Kilkenny which have already been affected could be hit again.
“We heard yesterday from the local authorities that Carlow, Kilkenny, the Slaney, all those catchments are absolutely at peak levels. We were hoping for some respite over the weekend, there was a small amount of headroom, but I think we’re back to difficult conditions this week.”
Mr. Leonard said that Tuesday and Wednesday are “going to be the worst days this week”.
He also confirmed that the ESB has been releasing water from the Poulaphouca Reservoir in County Wicklow which is near capacity. He said that “controlled release” is being monitored to prevent flooding along the Liffey catchment.
“We’re hoping that that can be managed without any significant flooding to properties,” he added.
