EXCESSIVE RAIN resulted in localised flooding and extremely heavy surface water yesterday, which caused problems for motorists.
Met Éireann had issued a warning for yesterday of heavy rainfall of between 30mm to 50mm, with the highest volumes in the east.
The extreme weather caused problems for motorists, and the AA rescue service had its busiest morning for breakdowns since January. It dealt with nearly 300 call-outs during the morning, with Dublin the worst affected area.
Wet conditions resulted in more cars involved in minor collisions needing to be towed, AA said. There were also large numbers of cars failing to start because of damp electrical systems.
There was heavy flooding at the site of the electric picnic in Stradbally, Co Laois. Drivers leaving the car park following the weekend festival had delays of up to an hour.
There was heavy surface water and localised flooding on many roads across the east and midlands, including Co Offaly, Co Meath, Co Louth and secondary routes in Co Westmeath.
The heavy localised showers meant some “very testing driving conditions and drivers must take extra care”, said AA Ireland’s director of policy Conor Faughnan yesterday.
“Motorways are generally very safe, but heavy rain makes them dangerous. Road spray thrown up from the wheels reduces visibility, and we have had a lot of motorists report very difficult conditions on the motorways today.”
Parts of Co Wicklow were on flood alert last night as Wicklow County Council laid sandbags in parts of the county.
A hotel in Glendalough, Co Wicklow, flooded after the Glendasan river burst its banks at about 5.30pm. The water in the function room of the Glendalough Hotel rose quickly to about 1m and was receding by 7pm, said owner and local Fianna Fáil councillor Pat Casey.
Wicklow County Council had laid sandbags at 12 points in Arklow town. Local Fianna Fáil councillor Pat Fitzgerald said the Avoca river in Arklow was at its height.
In Newcastle, Co Down, a freak wave sank five boats when it hit the harbour on Sunday night.
All parts of the country can expect wet weather for the rest of the week, with low pressure systems continuing to move in across Ireland from the Atlantic. Met Éireann has forecast weekly rainfall of between 30mm and 70mm, some 1½ to 2½ times the average.