Ireland weather: Eight people evacuated from Dublin homes after spot flooding

Eight people have been evacuated from their Dublin homes after spot flooding hit parts of the country overnight, following heavy rainfall in areas of the country.

Met Éireann had issued several warnings for heavy rain and strong winds as Storm Antoni moved eastwards across Ireland.

Firefighters attended the scene of flooding in residential areas in Clontarf on Saturday morning, with water-trained firefighters offering the use of inflatable rafts to help people leave their homes safely.

Dublin Fire Brigade said it was also working with Dublin City Council and ESB at a flooded basement in an apartment block.

A status yellow wind warning remains in place for southern and southeastern counties until lunchtime on Saturday with gusts of up to 110km/h forecast.

Met Éireann has a status yellow wind alert in force for Munster, Carlow, Kilkenny and Wexford until 1pm.

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The forecaster said very strong northwest to north winds, with gusts of up to 110km/h, could lead to falling branches, damage to temporary structures and create difficult road conditions, particularly in coastal areas.

Wind and rain warnings that had been in place earlier on Saturday have expired. Met Éireann had warned there could be spot flooding, poor visibility and difficult travelling conditions in may areas with Storm Antoni passing over the country.

The weekend forecast says heavy rain will continue over Ulster and much of Leinster on Saturday morning with spot flooding possible.

“It will clear eastwards by noon with brighter weather and scattered showers following,” Met Éireann said. “This afternoon, winds will gradually ease. Highest temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees.”

Saturday night is forecast to be drier in many areas with clear spells and a chance of scattered showers.

Sunday is expected to be a brighter day with a mix of sunshine and showers and highest temperatures of 16 to 20 degrees. Sunday night will be mainly dry with clear spells and just a few showers in the northwest.

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“Cloud will thicken in the west and southwest overnight with patchy rain and drizzle developing towards dawn,” Met Éireann said.

Bank holiday Monday is to start off mainly dry but outbreaks of rain starting in the southwest will gradually spread eastwards over the southern half of the country. “There will be drier, brighter intervals further north. Highest temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees with light to moderate southerly winds.”

Further outbreaks of rain and drizzle are expected on Monday night, becoming lighter and patchier as the night goes on. Tuesday will also be mostly cloudy with further rain or drizzle, which will extend further north later with warm, humid conditions following from the south. – (Additional reporting: PA)