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Updated 7.40pm
TWO PEOPLE HAD to be rescued from their cars in Kildare this evening as flash flooding hit the back roads between Naas and Straffan.
The lucky man and woman were taken from their cars by National Ambulance Service paramedics who were in the area – en route to a non-urgent call.
The water had started to seep into the woman’s BMW near the Blue Door and she was getting “quite scared”.
AA Roadwatch / TwitterKILDARE: The Straffan/ Kill Rd (R406) at The Blue Door is impassable due to flooding. http://t.co/EY0qAdZlYs
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) November 13, 2014
A source from the National Ambulance Service told TheJournal.ie that it has been “a horrendous day” on the roads.
Earlier today, Met Éireann issued an orange rainfall warning for Dublin and surrounding counties.
And if you were thinking “sure, it’ll ease off”, you’re out of luck.
The weather service says that “a spell of heavy rain” today will be followed by “another spell of heavy rain [tonight]” that will give rainfall of 40mm to 60mm with localised flooding.
So, in other words, heavy rain followed by more heavy rain.
Dublin, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, Meath and Monaghan will get the worst of the rain, and the warning will remain in place until 9am tomorrow.
The rest of the country will fare better, but not by much. There is a yellow rainfall warning for Munster, Connacht, Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Cavan and Donegal that will be in effect until tonight.
As for the weekend’s weather, Met Éireann says it will be “very mixed”. For a change.
Traffic
The rain has led to traffic chaos around the country.
AA Roadwatch / TwitterMEATH P 2:Further along on the N2, the road is impassable between the Ashbourne R/A and Kilmoon Cross.Reports of a 8km tailback as a result.
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) November 13, 2014
AA Roadwatch / TwitterKILDARE: The Straffan/ Kill Rd (R406) at The Blue Door is impassable due to flooding. http://t.co/EY0qAdZlYs
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) November 13, 2014
AA Roadwatch / TwitterDUBLIN: Off ramp for J5 Balbriggan South on the M1 n'bound reopened following flooding. Delays remain on approach but should ease shortly.
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) November 13, 2014
The East Link in Dublin was closed for a period this evening, but has since reopened.
Killian Byrne / TwitterGrange Rd nearly completely flooded outside Marlay Pk. Road passable, slowly! @aaroadwatch @LiveDrive pic.twitter.com/5g6w1FReii
— Killian Byrne (@killianbyrne) November 13, 2014
Here’s the Monasterboice area this evening. (Thanks Tony McArdle for the photo)
FingalCountyCouncil / TwitterROAD CLOSURE: River Road (D15) closed due to flooding from Ashtown to Dunsink @aaroadwatch @LiveDrive @GardaTraffic
— Fingal County Council (@Fingalcoco) November 13, 2014
Live Drive / TwitterFLOODING: Burgh Quay in the right lane
— LiveDrive (@LiveDrive) November 13, 2014
Live Drive / TwitterN7 outbound left lane is flooded at J3 Citywest. People are driving through it at 120 km/h+. Extremely dangerous driving. Slow down!
— LiveDrive (@LiveDrive) November 13, 2014
AA Roadwatch / TwitterRoads v wet in various parts of country, particularly along east coast with some impassable. Details on http://t.co/qvBPcgxUj8
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) November 13, 2014
Dublin Bus / TwitterUpdate on Route 70 & Route 270 - buses are not serving Clonee and Littlepace until further notice due to flooding.
— dublinbusnews (@dublinbusnews) November 13, 2014
Traffic Mgmt. Centre / TwitterSurface water on Parkgate st outbound at bus stop & Dublinbike stand. Please drive slowly.
— Traffic Management Centre (@DCCTraffic) November 13, 2014
An Garda Síochána / TwitterDublin: Severe flooding on Blessington Road between Saggart Village and the Embankment. Motorists are advised to plan an alternative route.
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) November 13, 2014
All of this flooding is because this is what Ireland looked like earlier today:
Your view
Some of our readers have sent in what they’ve been seeing today.
Hugh sent this from Lucan:
Teresa McGuinness / Twitter@thejournal_ie this morning on O'ConnellSt pic.twitter.com/phdBaV5bh0
— Teresa McGuinness (@SweetenedVoices) November 13, 2014
Michelle O’Reilly sent these from Castleblayney Road in Dundalk.
Liam Ruth / TwitterLove our new water feature! RT @tweather_flash N11 Enniscorthy almost closed because of flash floods pic.twitter.com/wkGvQ0OjGR
— Liam Ruth (@liamruth) November 13, 2014
And this is the biblical scene in Rathoath.
But some people aren’t bothered by it at all.
This man was spotted swimming in Portmarnock today.
While these windsurfers joined him to make the most of it.
First published 3.45pm. Additional reporting Christina Finn and Sinéad O’Carroll
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Ulster Bank are the worst bank I ever dealt with. Absolute no interest in talking just red tape after red tape and applies the same rules no matter what the circumstances is.
Personally speaking I found UB a pleasure to deal with. Staff could not have been more helpful. The so call ‘red tape’ you refer to is in this day and age essential in the banking sector. The ‘ah sure it’ll be grand’ for of banking is well and truly over. If they bend the rules for you, where does it stop? Then (hypothetically) if down the road something happens and you had to be chased for money. They wouldn’t have a leg to stand on with the courts or central bank because they broke procedure.
Couldn’t agree more Ulsterbank staff the most helpful of the three big banks
Don’t support this bank as they are closing branches in rural areas.
No private business will support a town to lose money. Ridiculous comment. Speak to the government. British companies brought so much competition to Ireland. Love my tracker. Irish companies have to try and complete. They’re the ones that ripped you off for years.
Back in 2006 I was coming off my 2 year fixed introductory mortgage rate,the Irish bank I was with declined to give me a tracker.Ulster bank give me a tracker and paid my legal fees to move.My tracker has saved my family from serious financial headaches.Thank you Ulster Bank.
Hooray for the banks. Wonderful news :)
Woohoo every little helps
These rates are applicable for new customers. We need to see a start to interest rate reductions for existing customers.
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