Met Éireann Faces Scrutiny After Storm Chandra Flooding; Wet February Forecast

DUBLIN (Azat TV) – Ireland is currently grappling with the extensive aftermath of Storm Chandra, which unleashed severe flooding across the country, particularly in the southeast and parts of Dublin, prompting urgent clean-up operations and renewed calls for national forecaster Met Éireann to reform its weather warning protocols. As residents and businesses survey significant damage, Minister for Housing James Browne has stated Met Éireann will be held accountable for providing timely and effective alerts, emphasizing the need for greater use of ‘judgment calls’ alongside existing mathematical models. The immediate concern is compounded by a new status yellow rain warning for several counties and a forecast indicating a persistently wet February.

Widespread Devastation and Ongoing Clean-up Efforts

Storm Chandra’s impact has been severe, with homes and businesses in areas like Enniscorthy, County Wexford, experiencing floodwaters up to five feet deep, destroying stock and furniture. Ralph Swaine, owner of The Bus Stop Shop in Enniscorthy, described it as the ‘worst’ flood in 25 years, lamenting the inability to secure flood insurance since an earlier event around 2000. In Cookstown Lane, Kiltiernan, residents of recently built social housing are undertaking difficult clean-up efforts, with one mother of three describing ‘worms coming through in the water’ and the daunting prospect of months of recovery. The emotional toll is significant, with Dr. Kristin Hadfield, associate professor at Trinity College Dublin, noting that such events can lead to ‘significant mental health challenges,’ including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Roads previously closed due to flooding, such as the N80 in Bunclody, County Wexford, and the L1825 Ardaloo Road in Kilkenny, have begun to reopen. However, local authorities, including Wexford County Council and Waterford City and County Council, are advising extreme caution, as many routes remain hazardous due to debris and lingering floodwaters. A ‘do-not-consume’ notice has been issued for the Ballyduff/Kilmeaden water supply scheme in Waterford, affecting thousands of customers who are advised against using the water for drinking, cooking, or personal hygiene.

Met Éireann’s Warning System Under Scrutiny

The severity of Storm Chandra has intensified public and political scrutiny of Met Éireann’s warning system. Minister James Browne, a TD for Enniscorthy, explicitly stated that Met Éireann needs to improve communication and make ‘greater use’ of judgment calls in issuing warnings, rather than relying solely on mathematical formulas. He highlighted that other countries integrate human judgment into their forecasting processes. While acknowledging that earlier warnings might not have entirely prevented the flooding, Minister Browne stressed the importance of clearer and faster communication from the national forecaster.

Keith Lambkin, head of climate services at Met Éireann, confirmed that rainfall in Ireland has increased by 7 percent due to climate change, and heavier rainfall events are expected as the planet warms. He explained that Ireland is in the process of developing a more sophisticated flood warning system, with Met Éireann’s rain warnings feeding into a wider, higher-resolution system, but ‘only components of that are in there at the moment.’

Government Response and Future Flood Mitigation

In response to the widespread damage, the Department of Enterprise has detailed the Emergency Humanitarian Flooding Scheme, which Minister Peter Burke is seeking government approval to open to small businesses (up to 20 employees) and voluntary and sports organizations. This scheme offers an initial contribution of up to €5,000 for immediate costs, with additional support up to a total of €20,000 for significant damages, requiring a Building Assessment through the Irish Red Cross.

Separately, the Department of Social Protection has activated the Emergency Response Payment for households directly affected by Storm Chandra, covering immediate needs, replacement of white goods, and structural repairs for uninsured properties. Minister for Transport and Climate Darragh O’Brien warned that flood relief and storm mitigation measures ‘will never be completed’ due to the increasing prevalence of severe weather events. He emphasized the ongoing need for investment in adaptation-mitigation measures and called for the faster deployment of a comprehensive flood forecasting system, stating it should not take another decade.

Persistent Rain and a Wet February Forecast

The immediate threat of flooding remains, with a status yellow rain warning issued by Met Éireann for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, and Waterford. Valid from midnight tonight until midnight Friday, the warning anticipates further heavy rain and showers on already saturated ground, likely leading to localized and river flooding, as well as difficult travel conditions. Meteorologist Mark Bowe from Met Éireann urged continued vigilance despite the storm having passed.

Looking ahead, Met Éireann’s long-range forecast for February paints a challenging picture. Low-pressure systems are expected to dominate weather patterns throughout the month, repeatedly bringing heavy rain and blustery winds. The first week of February is projected to be particularly wet, with rainfall higher than average across much of Ireland. This unsettled pattern, characterized by low pressure centered to the south of Ireland, is expected to continue for much of the month, with increasing uncertainty in later weeks but a consistent signal for wetter-than-average conditions.

The ongoing severe weather events and the resulting damage underscore a critical juncture for Ireland, highlighting the urgent necessity for both enhanced immediate response mechanisms and long-term strategic investments in climate adaptation and robust early warning systems that integrate technological precision with crucial human judgment.