Up to two inches of rain brings spot flooding to west and southwest

Close to two inches of rain have fallen in parts of the southwest and west over the past 24 hours.

A Status Orange rainfall warning remains in place for Kerry, while a Status Yellow alert is in effect for much of the rest of the country until 8pm on Thursday.

The heaviest totals so far include 52mm in Leenane, Co Galway, 50mm at Terryland in Galway City, 45mm at Abbeystrewry in Skibbereen, west Cork, and 43mm at Killyclogher in Co Tyrone.

Parts of Kerry and Galway have also been among the wettest areas, while Leinster has remained relatively dry with only 1 to 3mm recorded. Rain is forecast to extend into eastern counties this evening and overnight.

Further rainfall is expected on Friday as Storm Amy tracks along Ireland’s western seaboard. An additional 10 to 15mm is likely, with higher totals on upland areas in Atlantic coastal counties. Gusts of up to 130km/h are possible in the northwest on Friday evening.

Galway City Council has confirmed that Toft Car Park and Salthill Car Park have been closed to the public until further notice, while Silverstrand Road has also been shut. Ballyloughane Beach Road will remain open for local access only. Meanwhile, the Council has announced the closure of all public parks in Salthill as a precaution ahead of Storm Amy.

Galway County Council has also confirmed a series of road closures across the county. Mountain Road in Moycullen is shut, while flooding has forced the closure of Kylemore Bridge and the road from Knockboy to Glynsk in Carna.

Kerry County Council has warned motorists about spot flooding across the county. The Ballaghbeama Gap road (L4047) has been closed due to flooding, while drivers are being urged to take care on the Sportsfield Road in Sneem and on the N70 between Sneem and Kenmare.

“Please drive with caution on all roads, especially the peninsulas which are seeing heavy rainfall,” the council posted on X.