You couldn’t be keeping up with the weather this week.

As floods make roads around Clonakilty, Dunmanway, Bantry and Sheep’s Head impassable this afternoon, Met Éireann has announced that we can expect further downpours today… and a rumble of thunder too.

The national forecaster has issued a Status Yellow thunder warning for Munster, Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Wexford, Offaly, Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.

Forecasters note that there’s a “risk of thunderstorms this afternoon and evening, bringing localised heavy downpours, hail and localised flooding.”

The weather warning is valid from 1pm until 9pm tonight, Saturday, August 15th.

Motorists advised to exercise ‘extreme caution’

Meanwhile, Cork County Council is asking motorists to exercise extreme caution in West Cork, after heavy rain caused damage to many roads in the area.

“Cork County Council’s Roads Department and Fire Service staff have been working throughout the night, putting sandbags in place and diverting the floodwaters away from the N-71 and properties insofar as possible.” the Council said in a statement.

Flooding this morning on the N-71 Rosscarbery, R-597 at Roury bridge & other roads around the Clonakilty, Dunmanway, Bantry & Sheep’s Head areas.

❗️Please exercise extreme caution on roads and do not drive through flood waters❗️

ℹ️https://t.co/gvfeReqk94 pic.twitter.com/8sVQdj3HAF

— Cork County Council (@Corkcoco) August 15, 2020

“Unfortunately, the flooding has impacted some properties in the area. The N-71 has now reopened at Connonagh, but will remain closed at Rosscarbery until later today, traffic diversions are in place.”

The heavy rain has caused additional damage to the Rosscarbery to Glandore road, R-597 at Roury bridge. Motorists are advised to drive with caution during heavy rain and not to drive through floodwaters.

“While floodwaters may have abated in some areas, road edges may have been washed away or been undermined, so extreme care is necessary.” added a Council spokesperson.