Storm Chandra: Emergency services sent to Kilkenny over flooding

Sarah Slater, Eva Osborne, Michael Bolton

Met Éireann has issued more yellow rain and wind warnings ahead of Storm Chandra on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, motorists and members of the public are being advised to stay away from the centre of a Co Kilkenny town after two rivers burst their banks.

The medieval town of Graiguenamanagh is experiencing a deluge of water from the rivers Barrow and Duiske that traverse the town, and emergency services are currently on the scene.

Kilkenny County Council are warning the public to not approach the town’s Main Street as it is unsafe.

In a statement the council said that they are “aware of rising water levels” in the rivers Barrow and Duiske.

“Crews are on site and emergency services have been deployed to assist with water pumping. Main Street Graiguenamanagh is currently closed to traffic.”

There is a yellow rain warning issued for Carlow, Kilkenny, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, and Waterford. It will come into effect from midnight on Tuesday until 11pm.

Met Éireann has warned of localised flooding and difficult travelling conditions.

Meanwhile, a status yellow wind warning has been issued for Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kilkenny, Louth, Meath, Wexford, Wicklow, Cavan, Monaghan, Cork, Kerry, and Waterford.

Update⬇️
⚠️Yellow Wind & Rain warnings for Tues 27/01, in association with #StormChandra

❗️Rain falling on already saturated ground will lead to localised impacts

❗️Winds will be very strong & gusty particularly on the coasts & along exposed areas

ℹ️https://t.co/t2JoveRUyC pic.twitter.com/Z5g0hPEbeb

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) January 26, 2026

It will come into effect at 5am on Tuesday morning and last until 11pm.

Met Éireann has warned that winds associated with Storm Chandra will be very strong and gusty particularly about the coasts and along exposed areas.

Possible impacts include fallen trees and loose debris, wave overtoppping, and hazardous travel conditions.

There is currently a yellow wind warning in place for Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Tyrone, and Derry until 11:59pm on Tuesday night.

This will be upgraded to a status orange warning for counties Antrim, Down, and Derry from 5am on Tuesday until 9pm.

Monday will be wet and breezy today with widespread rain, turning heavy at times too.

Rain will give way to sunny spells and the occasional shower, with the highest temperatures of five to 10 degrees.

Tuesday will be wet and windy, with widespread rain, heavy at times, possibly turning wintry for a time about higher ground in the north and northwest during the morning.

Clearer, brighter breaks and showers will follow from the south, for a time, before further spells of rain spread up over the country.

The rain will be persistent in the south and east, and combined with already saturated ground, will lead to some localised flooding.

Fresh to strong or near gale and gusty easterly winds will be strongest near eastern and southern coasts, with gales on coastal fringes.

Highest temperatures of five to nine degrees.