Louth County Council issue update as Orange Rain Warning comes into effect

Louth County Council have issued a weather update after Met Éireann upgraded Louth to a Status Orange Rain Warning.

The warning came into effect at 12:00pm today and will last until 6:00pm on Friday February 6th.

Louth County Council Weather Update: Thursday February 5

Status Orange Rain Warning

Louth County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team (SWAT) continues to respond to the ongoing weather conditions.

Met Éireann has upgraded the Rain Warning for Louth to a Status Orange.

The warning is valid from 12pm on Thursday, 5 February to 6pm on Friday, 6 February.

Spells of very heavy rain falling on already saturated ground, combined with high river levels and high tides, will lead to:

• Localised Flooding
• River Flooding
• Difficult travel conditions

Many rivers remain close to or above bank-full conditions. However, most rivers have receded from peak levels observed last week. 

Heavy rainfall today into tomorrow is likely to trigger further flooding, given current ground and river conditions.

Today’s high spring tides, combined with strong winds and surge, may cause wave overtopping and coastal flooding in exposed areas. High coastal water levels will impede river discharge, especially at times of high tide.

National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG

The National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) is warning that we are entering another challenging phase over Thursday and Friday, with orange and yellow rain warnings in place. Significant rainfall is expected in areas already affected by flooding over the last period.

The NECG has emphasised that, due to river flows, heavy rain in one county can impact on flood-prone areas in another even where less significant rain has fallen due to river flows.

Main Street, Blackrock

High tide in Blackrock is at 1.40pm on Thursday, with tide heights of approximately 5.42m expected. For safety, Main Street will be closed an hour before and an hour afterwards. A road sweeper will be on site to remove any debris that is washed in by the sea. Motorists are asked not to park their vehicles on the promenade during this period.

Wellington Quay, Drogheda

It is likely that Wellington Quay, Drogheda, will flood during the period of high tides. Members of the public are urged to use an alternative route during these hours.

Motorists are also advised to avoid Haymarket Bridge, from the direction of the Donore Road, Dublin Road and North Road, during high tide on Thursday, 5 February (11:30am-2.30pm).

Flooding

Pumping continues to take place at the Blackwater River, Dundalk in an effort to create capacity and protect residential areas.

Flooding of rural roads adjacent to the River Dee, Glyde and Fane with road closures planned.

Sandbags

Sandbags are available from the following Louth County Council depots around the county at Bush, Co Louth; Town Hall Yard, Dundalk; Dundalk Machinery Yard (Behind Garda Barracks); Ship Street, Drogheda; Wellington Quay, Drogheda; Woodlands Depot; Ardee Civic Office Yard; Stockwell Lane, Drogheda; North Quays, Drogheda; Greenhills, Drogheda; Baltray, Drogheda.

Extra sandbags will be delivered to Carlingford before high tide on Thursday and are also in place in areas which were affected last week, including Cluan Enda and Bay Estate in Dundalk, while one tonne sandbags will remain in place on the N2 Drogheda Road in Ardee to divert running water away from nearby properties.

Operations Crews

During an Orange Warning, Louth County Council operations crews will only carry out emergency work, as per the Council’s Storm Risk Assessment. All routine work will cease at 12pm.

Public Information

The public is urged to remain vigilant of debris on roads, avoid floodwater, and please heed all signage in relation to closed roads.

People are urged to monitor Met Éireann weather updates and check the Louth County Council website, www.louthcoco.ie and social media channels for information on road closures, flooding updates, and community alerts. 

Emergency Response Payment for households

An Emergency Response Payment is available to provide support to those living in properties directly affected by flooding.

Any household affected by severe weather can access this support by contacting the Community Welfare Service on 0818 60 70 80. 

Full details of the scheme and how to apply are available at www.gov.ie/FloodResponse.

Emergency Humanitarian Flooding Scheme

An Emergency Humanitarian Flooding Scheme is open for small businesses, community, voluntary and sports organisations affected by flooding. 

In recognition of the severe impact of flooding on many small businesses and other organisations, the upper limit for payments under the scheme has been increased from €20,000 to €100,000 for the most impacted premises. Eligibility for the Scheme has also been extended to organisations of up to 50 employees.

The Scheme is administered by the Irish Red Cross on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, and full details and application forms are available here.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.