WATCH: Laois town almost at a standstill amid awful flooding on multiple roads

Some roads in Portarlington are impassable while others are also badly flooded thanks to Storm Claudia rainfall which is wreaking havoc across the country, including here in Laois.

Despite Laois not being included in any weather warnings, the county is being badly impacted by the huge rainfall. Portarlington is particularly bad with the River Barrow spilling over into surrounding lands, including fields and roads on both sides of the down.

Botley Lane is completely impassable since Thursday morning with signage directing drivers coming from the Bracknagh side of town to continue up Spa Street. Spa Street is now also badly flooded but is passable. Traffic was extremely slow on the route with traffic backed up to McMahon's Hardware Store at 8.30am.

PICTURED: Spa Street is partially flooded as drivers use it as an alternative to Botley Lane to cross the town

Patrick Street, outside Dempsey's Inver shop, is almost impassable but traffic was moving slowly on Friday morning. People are warned to avoid the area is possible with more heavy rain throughout Friday expected to add to the disruption.

As the shop and Patrick Street are on the Offaly side of the town, Offaly County Council delivered an update on Friday morning. They said: The river through Portarlington is overflowing its banks this morning. Botley Lane, Portarlington is closed and likely to remain closed over the weekend. The junction with Patrick Street is also now flooding. Please drive with extreme caution."

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Laois County Council said that its Severe Weather Assessment Team continues to monitor water levels across the county.

"There is an ongoing risk of localised flooding tonight (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday) as another band of rain crosses County Laois," the council said in a statement, adding, "please allow extra time for your journey tomorrow morning and do not drive through floods."

This comes as thirteen counties across Ireland, not including Laois or Offaly, have been hit with official weather warnings from Met Éireann for heavy downpours and strong winds this Friday and Saturday.

A Status Orange rain warning for Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow is in effect from 12pm this Friday afternoon until 8am on Saturday morning, November 15. 

Significant rainfall accumulations, especially on high ground and exposed areas, are expected, with impacts including possible significant flooding and hazardous travelling conditions. 

ABOVE: Botley Lane is impassable while Patrick Street is now also badly flooded in Portarlington

A Status Yellow rain warning also issued by the forecaster has now come into effect for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Louth, Meath, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford as well as Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow at 9am this Friday. The warning will lift at 9am Saturday morning with heavy and persistent rain falling on saturated ground. Possible impacts include flooding, difficult travelling conditions and poor visibility. 

Meanwhile, a Status Yellow wind warning has been put in place for counties Dublin, Louth, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow, with warnings of strong and gusty northeasterly winds. This will come into effect at 12pm today, November 14, and will lift at 4am Saturday morning. Difficult travelling conditions and related debris are listed as possible impacts of this. 

LATEST: Met Éireann updates weather warnings ahead of weekend washout in 13 counties

According to Met Éireann, Friday is windy day nationwide and wet too across Munster and Leinster, with widespread rain becoming heavier through the day, particularly in the south and east, with flooding expected in places. It is expected to be much drier across Ulster and Connacht with some bright spells further north, with just some rain and drizzle encroaching onto southern parts. Highest temperatures of 7 to 12 degrees along with fresh to strong and gusty northeasterly winds and gales on eastern coasts.

‼️Rain⚠️Dublin Wexford Wicklow
12:00 Fri - 08:00 Sat
Rain⚠️Cork Kerry Limerick Tipperary Waterford Carlow Dublin Kildare Kilkenny Louth Meath Wexford Wicklow
09:00 Fri - 09:00 Sat
Wind⚠️Dublin Louth Wexford Wicklow Meath
12:00 Fri - 04:00 Sat
ℹ️https://t.co/w5QtJ1V6un pic.twitter.com/EVI4l2EwlS

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) November 14, 2025