Further floods expected with more rain storms

Wet and windy weather will continue over the next few days and increase the chances of serious flooding, weather forecasters have warned.

Floods closed several roads and sections of two rail lines in the east of the State yesterday. Met Eireann said there was likely to be a continued risk of flooding for the foreseeable future after close to two inches of rain fell in eastern areas on Thursday night and yesterday morning.

Showers and dry spells are forecast for today, with more rain and high winds tomorrow night. While the winds will ease on Monday, the rains will become heavier, the forecasters say.

Met Eireann meteorologist Ms Ann Farrell said the situation has been exacerbated by last month's floods.

"The ground is completely saturated and the rain has nowhere to go, so areas will flood much more easily than normal."

The flooding risk is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, she said. "We've had no opportunity for decent drying and I don't see there being an opportunity within the next few weeks."

The DART service between Dalkey and Greystones was suspended yesterday because of the weather conditions, and will not run today.

The Maynooth to Dublin line was closed until 5 p.m. yesterday and the 7.12 p.m. train to Limerick last night was cancelled due to flooding.

Areas from Drogheda to Wexford and parts of Waterford were hit by flooding by mid-morning yesterday. In north Dublin, Malahide, Rush, Lusk, Skerries and Portmarnock were severely hit, as was Blanchardstown to the west.

Farther west, Kildare, Clane and Straffan suffered flooding, as did Drogheda, Duleek, Ratoath and Clonee.

So far this winter the rainfall has been above average. In November it was two or three times the average and, although October was slightly drier, rainfall was "well above average - up to twice the usual amount," said Ms Farrell.

December rainfall is likely to be higher than average.

The worst of the rain today will be in the north, according to the forecasters. Elsewhere, showers will be interspersed with dry spells. It will be very windy over night tomorrow.

The winds should ease on Monday but heavy rains are due to return countrywide.