Waterford City and County Council has confirmed that, although the Status Orange rainfall warning for the region has expired, extensive damage has been recorded across the local road network following a prolonged period of persistent and heavy rainfall.
The Council’s severe weather management team convened this morning and continues to closely monitor the situation. Ground crews have been deployed throughout Waterford city and county to assess damage, respond to issues as they arise, and carry out essential repair works.
Gabriel Hynes, Director of Services with Waterford City and County Council, said the scale of disruption is considerable:
“While the Status Orange rainfall warning is no longer in effect, the prolonged period of heavy and persistent rain, tidal surges and wave overtopping has resulted in significant damage to our road network. We would ask the public to bear with us as our teams assess and repair the network.”
He also urged motorists to approach all routes with caution:
“The road network has been compromised by heavy rainfall, river run-off and coastal flooding, and there may be debris, damage, or surface water on some roads. Drivers should avoid travelling through flowing or standing water, expect the unexpected, and remain mindful of pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users.”
A Two-Week Weather Event
The recent disruption follows an extended period of unsettled weather that began on January 27th with the arrival of Storm Chandra, which triggered a Status Yellow rain and wind warning. Nearly two weeks of sustained rainfall placed significant pressure on Waterford’s drainage, road, and coastal defence systems.
Throughout the event, Council teams remained on standby, responding to localised flooding, blocked drains, and gully overflows. Ground crews, supported by Waterford Fire Service, attended numerous flooding incidents across the county and were proactively dispatched to areas considered high-risk, including Gracedieu and Woodstown.
Protective Measures and Public Support
As conditions deteriorated, flood defence barriers were installed in Passage East and Waterford City. In Dungarvan, several at‑risk car parks were closed overnight from January 30th until February 6th. Sandbags were made available to the public for the duration of the weather event.
Passage East experienced particularly severe impacts as the local stream overtopped its banks. Already saturated ground and reduced drainage capacity intensified the flooding. Council crews and Fire Service personnel remained on-site throughout the weekend, supporting residents and businesses with pumping operations, sandbag distribution, and immediate clean‑up assistance.
Council Response and Next Steps
Sean McKeown, Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council, acknowledged the difficulties faced by communities and reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to long-term mitigation:
“While acknowledging the significant distress caused by flooding, the Council is committed to reviewing this event, identifying lessons learned and taking appropriate measures to reduce future risk. A proposal for a comprehensive upgrade of the stormwater drainage network in Passage East has been developed and is awaiting funding confirmation.”
Mr. McKeown also praised Council staff for their response:
“I would like to formally acknowledge the Council staff for their outstanding efforts during this highly disruptive and complex weather event. The dedication shown by our severe weather assessment team, ground crews, fire services and corporate staff was exceptional and reflects a strong culture of service, teamwork and resilience across the organisation.”
Dozens of weather-related incidents were reported across Waterford during this period, each addressed under rapidly changing conditions. The Council also ensured timely public updates via social media channels, providing safety messages and critical information to support affected communities.
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