For continuing live updates, follow our rolling coverage here.
A collision on the N40 led to major queues on the South Ring this afternoon as Cork faces into a Status Orange weather warning.
The crash between Junction 7 (Douglas) and Junction 6 (Mahon) westbound, has since been cleared – but extra caution on the roads is urged today, with Cork City Fire Brigade saying that unnecessary journeys should be avoided altogether.
It comes after Met Eireann updated the Status Orange Rain Warning for Cork– moving it closer with the alert now coming into effect at 8pm and staying there until 5am Sunday morning.
That will be preceded by a Yellow Warning for Cork & Kerry with the South West Coast already seeing very heavy rain this morning as a major thunderstorm front crosses in from the Atlantic and makes its way across Munster.
The latest track of the storm looks like it will bring the very worst of the weather to West and Cork and Kerry, with up to 100mm of rain possible on the boder between the two counties. Cork City could escape the worst of the rain but it will still be very heavy this evening and through the night.
If you have pictures and videos of the conditions in your area, please send them in atnews@corkbeo.ie
We're signing off here, but to keep track of the storm, switch to this rolling coverage where we will continue to provide live updates into the night.
A reminder of tonight's warnings:
Status Orange – Rain warning for Cork, Waterford
Active from 8pm tonight until 5am tomorrow.
Status Yellow – Cork, Kerry, Waterford
Active from 5pm this evening until 5am tomorrow.
Both warnings carry alerts for potential flooding and poor travel conditions.
Traffic is still flowing well across the Cork city network after the crash on the N40 was cleared this afternoon. Travel times at present:
Hundreds turned out today to march for improved flood defences in Midleton, two years on from the devastation of Storm Babet.
The Soc Dems' Liam Quaide TD was among them. He said. "I joined other public reps, including Cllr. Eamonn Horgan today in Market Green today to show solidarity with residents of Midleton, Whitegate, Killeagh, Castlemartyr, Mogeely, Rathcormac and Ladysbridge today — communities that were devastated by flooding in October 2023.
"It beggars belief that, two years later, so many homes and businesses remain just as at risk as they were then.
"The Midleton Flood Relief Scheme is a vast and complex project – but there are measures that could be implemented in the mean-time, including smaller scale schemes to protect our villages.
"We need to see a much greater sense of urgency from Government – both in delivering local flood schemes for our villages and in rolling out the Individual Property Protection Scheme (IPPS).
"In addition, land use changes that improve flood resilience must be prioritised by the OPW and Cork County Council."
If you're looking forward to what is hopefully a drier weekend next week, an interactive map highlighting the full Cork Jazz Fest pub trail – with all the best gig spots – is available here.
Rain and potential thunder rolling from the Atlantic, as Met Éireann warns of rain becoming heavy and persistent in the south and southwest. You can follow the storm's route with an online tracker here.
The Council is asking members of the public to exercise caution as driving conditions may be dangerous, with surface flooding possible. Motorists are advised to avoid driving through flowing or standing water and to exercise caution during heavy rain. Motorists are also asked to be conscious of cyclists and pedestrians.
Issues such as flooding and road damage should be reported to the Council’s 'Emergency Out of Hours' number (021) 4800048.
Call 999 or 112 and request the Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Gardaí or Irish Coastguard as appropriate. In the event of disruption to water supply, please contact Uisce Éireann at 1800 278 278.
Reminder: Status Orange Rain Warning for Cork – Starts Tonight at 8:00pm
Met Éireann has brought the warning forward by 1 hour. It now begins at 8pm tonight (Sat 18 Oct) and lasts until 5am Sunday.
Heavy rain & possible thunderstorms may cause flooding & poor visibility.… pic.twitter.com/jkPYxn4kMg
Met Éireann’s main suite of warnings are issued by the duty forecaster between 10am and midday, and are updated as necessary as new information becomes available.
In general, warnings are not issued more than 60-hours ahead of the expected adverse weather – but advisories on potential hazards are issued up to a week in advance.
Meteorologist Siobhán Ryan explains what each warning category means and what action is warranted for each.
“A status yellow weather alert is given to warn those at risk from certain weather because of their location and/or their activity," she said.
"It advises these people to take preventative action. Expected weather conditions in a status yellow alert do not pose an immediate risk to the general population.”
“A status orange weather warning is given before expected weather conditions that could significantly impact people, property and activity in an area. People in the affected areas should prepare appropriately now for the anticipated conditions.”
“A status red severe weather warning is rarely issued but when it is, people in the areas expected to be affected should take action to protect themselves and/or their properties.
“These three warning categories are issued whenever certain weather conditions are expected within a 48 hour window. They can be issued at any time of year. Status orange or red, for example, can be given at times of very high temperatures.
“Met Éireann also issues Weather Advisories. These are issued for dangerous weather expected in over 48 hours’ time.”
Gardaí have launched urgent appeal for information on the whereabouts of a father and son from Dublin.
Full story: Nationwide appeal for father and son (11) missing from home
In place for the next 12 hours.
Cork County Council said that it will have staff monitoring the situation in vulnerable areas such as Bantry and Midleton throughout the night.
Cork County Council crews have also inspected key high-risk areas. Pumping arrangements are in place in known problem locations and sandbags are available at priority locations. Flood barriers have been installed in Mallow and Fermoy as a precaution.
Issues such as flooding and road damage can be reported over the course of the weekend to the Council’s Emergency Out of Hours number (021) 4800048.
Cllr Peter Horgan has said that flooding in the Beaumont area of Cork city, close to Ballintemple, have already suffered flooding due to a "collapsed pipe under the road." He added that the issue was flagged with Irish Water in advance of today's weather warnings.
From Alan O'Reilly at Carlow Weather:
2 years ago since Storm Babet caused devastation in parts of Cork. We still don’t have a flood warning system though!
The weather models showed the rain that was to come and I warned of flooding but only an Orange warning was issued. Have we learned anything over the last two… pic.twitter.com/v6yovSCYTb
Residents in East Cork marched earlier today to protest for improved flood defences:
Another new food spot is coming to one of Cork city 's top dining streets – and bringing with it a taste of Americana.
Full story: New York-style pizza place coming to Cork city
– but road surfaces are extremely wet. Cork City Fire Service has urged people to avoid unnecessary journeys today.
Weather data shows the current position of the Atlantic storm off the west coast:
As well as the location of lightning strikes within the last hour – steadily moving closer towards the Cork coast:
We have 90 minutes until the Yellow weather warning comes into effect, and more than four hours until the Orange rain warning is active – but ESB crews have already been busy, repairing outages and restoring power to homes across the country.
As of 3:30pm, around 34 homes in Munster are affected by outages, with repairs expected by 4pm. However, as conditions worsen this evening, it's possible that more residence – especially in West Cork – could be hit by network faults.
Midleton was hit especially badly by Storm Babet in October 2023, with devastating results for hundreds of homes and businesses.
Crosshaven Coast Guard said: "There will be increased Irish Coast Guard activity around the Crosshaven, Carrigaline and Currabinny areas today from 13.30-21.00 as we host a search skills course for new members from our flanking stations.
"Remember we are still on call. If you see someone in difficulty or think they maybe in difficulty immediately dial 112/999 and ask for the Irish Coast Guard. It could save a life."
Status Orange – Rain warning for Cork, Waterford
Active from 8pm tonight until 5am tomorrow.
Status Yellow – Cork, Kerry, Waterford
Active from 5pm this evening until 5am tomorrow.
Both warnings carry alerts for potential flooding and poor travel conditions.
Locals in one West Cork town have been outraged today to find yet another mound of food waste dumped in a scenic natural area.
Full story: Another giant pile of food waste dumped at iconic West Cork nature reserve
Traffic is returning to normal along the N40 but roads are extremely wet this afternoon. Non-stop rain is expected to fall for the rest of the day into tomorrow morning.
TII have confirmed that the incident on the South Ring has been cleared – but extra caution is still urged on the roads today.
The Midleton and East Cork Flood Protection Group held a protest today to mark the two-year anniversary of Storm Babet, which saw businesses and homes in the area devestated by floodwaters. Protestors at noon today marched to demand urgent flood protection.
The campaign group said: "Orange warnings for rain bring back awful memories."
The latest track of the storm looks like it will bring the very worst of the weather to West and Cork and Kerry, with up to 100mm of rain possible on the boder between the two counties.
Cork city could escape the worst of the rain but it will still be very heavy this evening and through the night.
You can follow the track of the storm yourself here.
"Please take extra care on the roads, avoid unnecessary journeys, and never drive through floodwaters.
"Heavy rain may lead to localised flooding, difficult driving conditions, and hazardous travel overnight. Stay safe and look out for one another."
The finals have been rescheduled as follows:
Following a meeting, the CCC has decided that today’s Co-Op Superstores Intermediate A and Senior A Hurling Finals are postponed.
This decision has been made to ensure the safety of all patrons wishing to attend the games.
lyons pic.twitter.com/EpVHsrYD3W
It's very bad now on the South Ring – easbound there are queues from the Tunnel – avoid this route if possible.
Watch out also for spot flooding and possible debris later – Cork City Fire Brigade have advised people to only make necessary journeys.
Lightning strikes are being reported in West Cork and Kerry and there is a major power outage in the Gurranebane area with alomost 800 homes affected.
The power will not be restored until 5pm at the earliest – in north and west Cork you may want to have torches to hand
