Parts of East Clare have been heavily impacted by flooding following persistent rain overnight and early this morning.
A low level weather alert remains in place until 9 o’clock tonight, with up to 40 milimetres of rain forecast across Munster.
It comes ahead of a drop in temperatures over the coming days as winter sets in.
Heavy rain overnight and early this morning has led to substantial surface water on all roads across the county today.
Earlier this morning, a number of cars left the road on the N18 between Cratloe and Bunratty, with lane closures causing significant delays for a time.
But the road has since been cleared and there are no reports of injuries.
The rain is expected to ease off in the coming hours and flood waters in the West of the county are receding, but for the East of the county, extensive flooding remains.
The turnoff to East Clare Golf Club on the R352, the Mountshannon Road in Scarriff and the R352 at Lough Bridget are impassible, with a number of cars already towed out of water in the area.
Motorists are being warned not to attempt to drive through flooded roads, but to take alternative routes where possible.
Hugh McGrath, Senior Engineer, Killaloe MD, spoke with Clare FM’s Main Lunchtime News:
It comes ahead of a major dip in temperatures as winter conditions set in from tomorrow – A polar low is expected to bring wintry showers, with snow falling in some parts.
But Met Éireann Forcaster John Eagleton says it won’t get too cold in Clare.
The danger now is that the water on the flooded roads could turn to ice so people are being advised to drive with extreme care over the next few days.
