New Louth weather warnings issued for heavy rain amid ongoing flood risk

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

The relentless rainfall looks set to continue in Louth with another Status Yellow Rain warning coming into effect from 9am on Friday until midnight on Saturday.

Louth County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team (SWAT) met on Thursday afternoon ahead of the new warnings and advised that further heavy rain and showers are forecast to fall on already saturated ground.

"Combined with high river levels, there is a potential of localised flooding, river flooding, and difficult travel conditions,” according to a spokesman.

The second round of weather warnings issued this week came as three roads still remain closed following the heavy rainfall in recent days: the Greyacre Road, Dundalk; Green Road, Dromiskin and Grange Road, Aclint.

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.

Sandbags will also be delivered to areas which were affected by Storm Chandra earlier in the week, including Cluan Enda and Bay Estate in Dundalk, while one tonne sandbags will remain in place on the N2 Drogheda Road in Ardee.

The council are advising the public to remain vigilant of debris on roads, avoid floodwater, and follow all signage in relation to closed roads.

The Emergency Response Payment is available to people who have been directly affected by flooding during Storm Chandra.

The scheme is managed by the Department of Social Protection and was formerly called the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme.

It provides financial support for people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who are unable to meet emergency costs for essential needs, household items, and structural repair.

For more information, visit www.louthcoco.ie

The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has opened the Emergency Humanitarian Flooding Scheme for small businesses of up to 20 employees, as well as community, voluntary and sporting bodies, which have experienced damage as a result of flooding.

Support under this scheme can include replacing flooring, fixtures and fittings, and damaged stock if relevant.

The scheme is administered by the Irish Red Cross on behalf of the Department.

The public are being urged to stay back from riverbanks, streams and canals as water levels may rise quickly. Keep children and pets away from waterways and flooded areas. Keep away from coastal edges, harbours, piers and low-lying promenades during high tide. The Irish Coast Guard advice remains: “Stay Back, Stay High, Stay Dry.”