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A Status Orange rain warning has now come into effect for Dublin, Wexford, and Wicklow, lasting until 8am on Saturday. Alongside this, a Status Yellow wind warning is active for Dublin, Louth, Meath, Wexford, and Wicklow from midday until 4am Saturday. These weather warnings have led to several disruptions, including the postponement of the Clontarf Half Marathon and 5 Mile race, which was called off due to the coastal and outdoor nature of the event. Organisers emphasised safety concerns for participants and staff and confirmed the race has been rescheduled for Sunday, November 30, with existing race numbers remaining valid. They also asked participants to hold off on emailing queries until further communication is provided.
The adverse weather is linked to Storm Claudia, which itself is not expected to hit Ireland directly, having passed over Spain and Portugal earlier in the week. However, the effects of this storm’s weather front are being felt across much of the south and east of the country. Meanwhile, England and Wales are bracing for heavy rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms due to the same system. Met Éireann has provided updates throughout the week, noting that the southern and eastern regions are experiencing the impact of this storm-driven front.
Dublin City Council has issued warnings about the significant risk of flooding due to persistent heavy rain. Precautionary measures include closing flood gates along the River Dodder from 9am, which may cause travel disruptions. Council flood response teams are actively monitoring and attending to high-risk locations, with additional crews on standby. Public advice urges people near coastal areas to stay back, stay high, and stay dry to avoid danger.
Earlier on Friday, new Status Yellow rain warnings were issued for 13 counties, including Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Louth, Meath, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, and Waterford. These warnings, effective from 9am Friday to 9am Saturday, highlight concerns over flooding, difficult travel conditions, and low visibility due to heavy, persistent rain falling on already saturated ground.
In response to the warnings, some primary schools in the Dublin area closed early to ensure students could get home safely. Decisions on school closures amid a Status Orange warning are being made individually by schools. Meanwhile, in Wexford, there are growing fears that the River Slaney might burst its banks, possibly for the first time in several years. Wexford County Council's director of services, Eamonn Hore, explained that despite recent efforts to clear drains and gullies, saturated land means significant water runoff on roads is unavoidable, making some spots potentially hazardous.
Mr Hore urged the public to avoid travel during the Status Orange warning period if possible, recommending remote work and leaving work early if conditions deteriorate. He emphasized caution when driving, advising people not to attempt driving through flooded areas and to slow down to stay safe. The council has crews on standby to manage flooding and clean-up operations as needed. The flood protection scheme in Enniscorthy remains a concern in the case of river overflow, underscoring the ongoing risk faced by residents in flood-prone areas.
Overall, the weather situation remains serious, with authorities closely monitoring conditions and encouraging everyone to take necessary precautions. The combination of heavy rain, strong winds, and saturated ground continues to pose challenges across multiple counties, with travel disruptions and safety risks likely to persist through the weekend.
