Severe flooding hits Waterford as Met Éireann issues rain warnings for nine counties

The worst of the weather is set to hit the south and south east, with a Status Orange rain alert in place for Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford until midnight as intense and thundery downpours target the region.

The forecaster warned of a risk of flooding, dangerous driving conditions and possible travel disruption.

Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather shared a video on X showing the Nire River which had burst its banks in the Nire Valley area in Co Waterford.

"Roads are now impassable in the area. If you are in an area prone to flooding in that general area then be alert and prepared," he said.

"The River Nire in Waterford is seeing a rapid rise in water levels nearing record flood height on water level site."

The Defence Forces cancelled its annual veterans' day which had been planned for Sunday.

It comes as Met Eireann issued a separate Status Yellow rain warning for Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford that is in place until 8pm.

There is also a Status Yellow rain warning in place for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Wicklow lasting until midnight.

There will be possible flooding, difficult travel conditions and possible fallen branches and trees on roads due to heavy rain and strong winds.

Warnings by county: Orange rain warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford until midnight.

Yellow rain warning for Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, until 8pm.

Yellow rain warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, until midnight.

Today will be wet and windy as Met Éireann forecasts outbreaks of rain progressing over much of the country.

The outbreaks will extend gradually northeastwards by the early afternoon and will be heaviest in the south and southeast leading to possible flooding in the area.

The rain will be accompanied by cold and strong winds coming from the south with temperatures reaching highs of 10 to 15 degrees.

Tonight will be mostly dry but will see some light and sparse rain. There will be a few showers coming in from the west and northwest overnight.

Fresh and gusty winds will continue with temperatures due to drop to 8 and 11 degrees. The winds will ease and become lighter overnight.

The Defence Forces has cancelled its annual day honouring veterans which had been planned for Sunday in Dublin.

"Unfortunately the Defence Forces Veterans' Day 2024 which was scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled," a statement said. "The cancellation is due to a weather warning in place, and the difficult decision was made as a result of health and safety concerns arising from this. A new date is as of yet to be confirmed."

Met Éireann has said that Monday will bring outbreaks and drizzle at first before bright conditions extend from the southwest through the afternoon.

Temperatures will reach 11 to 16 degrees with moderate winds.

Tuesday will be areas of cloud and patchy drizzle for part of the day but promises sunny spells as the day progresses.

Temperatures will reach 13 to 16 degrees accompanied by light to moderate winds.

Wednesday will be mostly dry with a mix of cloud and sunny spells while coastal counties will be affected by light showers.

Thursday will be dry in most parts but clouds will develop as the day goes on with some light drizzle due on the south and west.

Met Eireann has warned that some of the expected showers could be heavy.

The weather is due to be stable during the week but turns unsettled towards the end of the week.

The forecaster has said that the weather is "gradually turning more unsettled as low pressure edges in from the Atlantic".

A spokesperson for Met Eireann has said that today "the heaviest rain will gradually move eastwards along the south of the country which is why the southern counties are mostly concerned by the Orange warning".

They urged people to take into consideration the likelihood of flooding, travel disruption and poor conditions on roads.

They noted that most of the strong winds will dissipate by the half of Sunday night and that the coming week will see "some rain showers on Monday, a primarily dry Tuesday due to high pressure building".

"There will be some showers but the weather will be predominantly dry while things become more unsettled next weekend," they said.

The forecaster said that predictability for weather for conditions in Ireland was "very low" due to the country's location.

"We get quite changeable conditions so it's very hard to give anything definitive," they said.