Storm Frank to hit Ireland by lunchtime

Will Lang, Met Office Chief Meteorologist, said: “We expect stormy conditions to return midweek, and have already issued National Severe Weather Warnings for gales on Tuesday and heavy rain on Wednesday, as a rapidly deepening area of low pressure, Storm Frank, passes to the North West of the UK”.

The second is a YELLOW Wind warning for Galway, Mayo, Donegal, Clare, Cork and Kerry with gusts of up to 95km/h expected today, with the highest winds on the coastal regions.

Winds of up to 80 kilometres per hour are forecast, with gusts of up to 120 kilometres per hour.

A lesser, status yellow wind warning, for speeds of between 45 and 65km/h, will cover much of the east and south from noon until tomorrow morning. It is also valid from midday tomorrow.

Forecasters said Storm Frank will hit this evening, and that Cumbria and south and central Scotland are most at risk.

Because of the sheer volume of rain expected to fall between Monday and Wednesday (between 30mm and 60mm), Met Eireann say that further flooding is “inevitable”.

THE Met Office has warned of severe weather remaining until midnight tonight.

Levels have been in the as expected range for the River Avon in Bath.

This is expected to increase by a further 9cm.

He said all low-lying areas along the Shannon catchment are at risk of potential flooding.

Limerick City and County Council also warned in a statement yesterday that there is a heightened risk of flooding during the coming days.

BBC weather presenter Sarah Keith-Lucas said: “The wind and the rain will strengthen during the course of Tuesday, all down to Storm Frank”. It will become very windy in the afternoon with strong to gale force southerly winds, which will be strongest near west and northwest coasts.

Unprecedented rainfall over the past month will combine with more rain over the next 36 hours, to once again threaten hundreds of homes and businesses.

Mr Cameron said it was clear that flood defences do not “always do enough”.