There has been increased calls for a comprehensive flood warning system in Ireland amid severe rainfall in the south east of the country.
Fire service and ground crews were deployed to multiple locations in the south east due to flooding amid a Status Orange rainfall warning.
The alert remains in effect in counties Wexford, Waterford and Kilkenny until 1am.
A pregnant woman had to be rescued from her home in Waterford this afternoon after her estate was hit by rapidly rising waters.
More homes sadly flooded. We need a big job work to clear all drains and culverts that are blocked before we see more rain this coming winter. https://t.co/nNbenn1MXQ
— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) October 23, 2023
A Status Yellow weather warning is also in place in Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow and Roscommon.
Rainfall in the south east, along with severe flooding in Munster last week, has increased calls for an official flood warning system in Ireland.
A system was proposed by the Government in 2016 through the catchment flood risk assessment and management but has not been developed.
Flooding reported in Arklow County Wicklow now also. https://t.co/GvRvIiJnqz
— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) October 23, 2023
Meteorologist Alan O’Reilly said the current weather warnings from Met Éireann do not prepare people for flooding.
“These weather warnings are only taking into account the rainfall that's going to fall,” he said.
“It doesn't take into account the level of the rivers, the amount of standing water maybe already there or how saturated the ground is.”
Saturated land means heavy rain here near Shilleagh is running down the roads and many roads now badly flooded. Heavy and thundery rain in Wexford and parts of Wicklow will continue this evening before slowly clearing. pic.twitter.com/7wFEw1Oyow
— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) October 23, 2023
He pointed out the 2016 plans for a flood warning system remain in stage one and it “strange” no information about the system has been made public.
"If we look across the waters to England at the weekend, there was evacuation orders issued,” he said.
“They have a very good flood warning system - they've had it for many years.
“We're going to need that system and we're going need to adapt - people that are in areas prone to flooding will need to have flood plans.
“People have fire plans – if your house goes on fire what do you do? If your house floods, what do you do?”
