Fears recede of very heavy rain on east coast

UMBRELLAS WERE the order of the day on the east coast yesterday, but fears that the region would experience rain similar to that…

UMBRELLAS WERE the order of the day on the east coast yesterday, but fears that the region would experience rain similar to that which caused widespread flooding last October had not materialised by evening.

Met Éireann said 17mm of rain was recorded in Phoenix Park and at Casement Aerodrome in Dublin in the 12-hour period up to 7pm, while Dublin airport recorded 16mm in the same period, as did Grange in Co Meath.

Rainfall levels dropped farther to the west and north, with some parts experiencing little or no rain yesterday. Although rain levels up to 7pm fell short of the 25mm-30mm forecast by Met Éireann for eastern counties over a 12-hour period, meteorologist Pat Clarke warned yesterday evening that “we’re not finished yet”.

“There’ll be more rain overnight. You couldn’t rule out another 15mm to 20mm in the east . The heaviest of the rain will probably occur in the Wicklow Mountains.”