ESB Flood Warning: Newbridge and Clane – Poulaphouca Reservoir Overflow
- The reservoir, located in the Blessington Lakes in west Wicklow, is used by ESB for hydroelectric power generation.
- Its dam structure also plays a critical role in regulating water flow through the Liffey catchment area, namely Wicklow, Kildare and Dublin.
- As an inevitable result of the consistent rainfall over past two weeks, exacerbated by Storm Chandra, the reservoir is now nearing capacity with water levels having risen by...
The reservoir, located in the Blessington Lakes in west Wicklow, is used by ESB for hydroelectric power generation.
Its dam structure also plays a critical role in regulating water flow through the Liffey catchment area, namely Wicklow, Kildare and Dublin.
As an inevitable result of the consistent rainfall over past two weeks, exacerbated by Storm Chandra, the reservoir is now nearing capacity with water levels having risen by two metres; the state-owned company has said it will need to ease the pressure.
“Over the last number of weeks there has been prolonged and intense rainfall in the River Liffey catchment area, which has considerably increased river and reservoir levels,” ESB said in a statement.
“Large volumes of rain water arrived into the Poulaphouca reservoir in recent days from the upper Liffey catchment area. The vast bulk of this volume has been retained in the reservoir, increasing levels by almost two metres.
Irish authorities are closely monitoring severe weather conditions and preparing for potential impacts, particularly regarding flooding. Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams are on standby to deploy resources and provide assistance as needed.
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Table of Contents
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in Ireland oversees local authorities and provides guidance on emergency management, including severe weather preparedness. Local authorities are the primary responders to flooding and other weather-related emergencies.
As of January 31, 2026, at 12:10:22 UTC, there are no reports of notable changes to the weather situation beyond the initial assessment. The department continues to coordinate with local authorities.
Flooding Response Protocols
Local authorities in Ireland follow established protocols for responding to flooding events. These protocols include monitoring river levels, issuing flood warnings, deploying sandbags, and providing assistance to affected residents.
For example, the Flood Info website provides real-time flood alerts and information on flood risk areas throughout Ireland. This resource is maintained by the Office of Public Works.
Met Éireann – The Irish Meteorological Service
Met Éireann is the national meteorological service of Ireland, responsible for providing weather forecasts and warnings. They issue warnings for a range of severe weather events, including heavy rainfall, strong winds, and flooding.
Currently, Met Éireann is actively monitoring the weather situation and providing updates to local authorities and the public. thier forecasts are crucial for informing preparedness efforts.
Recent Weather Warnings
As of January 31, 2026, Met Éireann has issued a status yellow rainfall warning for several counties,anticipating potential localized flooding. This warning is valid until 6 PM local time.
According to Met Éireann’s latest news release (January 31, 2026), rainfall totals of 25-40mm are expected, with higher amounts possible in mountainous areas.
ESB Networks
ESB Networks, the national electricity grid operator, is preparing for potential disruptions to the power supply due to severe weather. They have crews on standby to respond to outages and restore power as quickly as possible.
ESB Networks coordinates with local authorities and emergency services to ensure a coordinated response to weather-related incidents.They also provide public safety advice regarding electrical hazards during storms.
Power Outage Preparedness
ESB Networks advises customers to prepare for potential power outages by having a supply of flashlights, batteries, and a fully charged mobile phone.They also recommend knowing the location of the main electricity switch and how to turn it off in an emergency.
On January 29,2026,ESB Networks issued a statement reminding customers to report any dangerous situations, such as fallen power lines, immediately.
Individuals with concerns about flooding are advised to contact their local authorities for further information and assistance.