Authorities on 'full alert' for more flooding this week with heavy rainfall forecast

""Thursday night is going to definitely be a pinch point, it comes with that combination of rainfall, very high tides and onshore winds, which unfortunately create the most difficult conditions for holding water and not letting it release out into the estuaries and into the sea," Mr Leonard told RTÉ Radio 1."

""There are really difficult travelling conditions across most of Leinster at this stage, roads are badly affected, particularly local roads, some of them almost impassable and really difficult conditions there for local authorities who are trying to pump water and protect as many areas as possible throughout the region," Mr Leonard said."

""it doesn't take much to cause flooding in these situations""

Persistent downpours are expected to fall on already saturated ground and swollen rivers, increasing flood risk across eastern and south-eastern counties. Thursday night is identified as a critical period due to a combination of heavy rainfall, very high tides and onshore winds that hinder water release into estuaries and the sea. Local authorities, particularly around Dublin, are on full alert and are actively pumping water and protecting vulnerable areas. Roads across Leinster are badly affected, with some local roads almost impassable. Met Éireann has a flooding advisory in effect and counties including Dublin, Louth, Wicklow, Kilkenny, Carlow and Wexford are bracing for more rain.

Read at Irish Independent