*Flash flooding in Smithstown, Shannon. Photograph: Joe Buckley
STORM BOELO has brought with it high winds and heavy rainfall to Co Clare.
Co Clare remains under a Status Yellow rain warning until 09:00 on Sunday, it has been in place since 14:00 on Saturday.
Since Thursday afternoon, there has been approximately 50mm or two inches of rainfall in West and North Clare. Totals are ranging from 30 to 40mm in other parts of the county.
Flash flooding has been reported on roads across the county including Smithstown in Shannon and the Quin Rd in Ennis. Motorists have been advised to take extreme caution on sections of the Kildysart Rd for those heading towards the county town.
Trees have fallen across the county with difficult conditions to continue for road users.
In what is the second named storm of the winter season, Storm Boelo follows Storm Austen which hit late on Thursday and into Friday morning.
Met Éireann has said that Storm Boelo may exacerbate conditions that were created by Storm Austen, like saturated soils, high river levels, surface flooding and weakened trees. “The impacts of Storm Boelo are likely to be more noticeable as the rain and winds will be during the day and will be for a prolonged period”.
Very strong southwest winds have been recorded which are veering westerly with severe gusts and coastal gales.
Potential impacts during the Storm in Co Clare as flagged by Met Éireann include difficult driving and cycling conditions, large coastal waves, some fallen trees and impacts for outdoor events.
Among the outdoor events affected widespread fixture changes on the sporting front. The Clare PIHC final between Clarecastle and Corofin has been deferred till 14:30 on Sunday in Cusack Park, the Clare IHC final has been moved to Cratloe where it starts at 15:00 on Sunday while the Junior A decider between Newmarket-on-Fergus and Ballyea now starts at 13:00 in Tubber as opposed to O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge.
All local games in the Clare District Soccer League (CDSL) scheduled for Sunday have been postponed but the three ties in the Munster Junior Cup involving Premier Division ties are to proceed on Sunday morning.
