Warnings that River Suir could flood during Storm Austen as Tipperary under yellow rain and wind warning
While Tipperary is so far not under an orange rain warning, the River Suir is “likely to experience river level increases that may lead to out-of-bank flooding from Thursday into Saturday” in the south and south-east
The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) this afternoon, October 21st, convened a meeting of the National Severe Weather and Flood Coordination Group in advance of Storm Austen.
Storm Austen is expected to bring high levels of rainfall overnight on Thursday into Friday morning.
NDFEM says there is potential for flooding in southern and eastern areas, with small, mountainous, upland, and urban catchments at greatest risk, as they will respond quickly to the higher-intensity rainfall.
Tipperary remains under a yellow rain and wind warning, along with the rest of the country.
bringing together Local Authorities, Met Éireann, relevant Government Departments, State Agencies, and utility providers, in advance of the arrival of Storm Austen and further potentially impactful weather over the bank holiday weekend.
The meeting allowed Met Éireann to update stakeholders on Storm Austen, which is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds across the country, particularly in southern and eastern areas.
There are orange rain warnings in place for Cork, Kerry, and Waterford from 10pm Thursday until 5am Friday. There are orange rain warnings in place for Dublin, Wicklow and Wexford from 2am to 8am on Friday.
Rivers in the east, south and southeast, including the Suir and the Nore, Blackwater, Lee, Cork Harbour and Youghal Bay are likely to experience river level increases that may lead to out-of-bank flooding from Thursday into Saturday.
Wind speeds will also be high in the south, east and midlands.
Local Authorities have activated their severe weather assessment teams in advance of the storm.
They, along with other stakeholders, are actively preparing for all eventualities and will be ready to respond in any affected areas where needed.