Parents and school children across the country are on high alert for school closures this morning because of Storm Chandra and the ensuing travel disruption.

Emergency services were tasked to parts of Kilkenny after the River Nore burst its banks overnight, and Main Street in Graiguenamanagh is also closed to traffic due to flooding. Local authorities have urged people to avoid the area as water levels rise.

School closures in Ireland are based on official weather warnings plus local safety conditions, and the final call is usually made at the school management level.

During Red warnings, the Department of Education often advises all schools to close nationally for the duration of the alert.

With Status Orange warnings, closures may happen in badly affected counties, especially rural areas, coastal regions, or places prone to flooding, but it’s not automatic.

Status Yellow usually means schools stay open, unless conditions deteriorate locally.

 Met Éireann warnings and local authority guidance explicitly advise motorists travelling to schools and workplaces this morning to stay away from flooded roads and to expect difficult driving due to surface water, debris and reduced visibility.

Status Yellow rain warnings cover most of the East and Southeast, meaning rivers and low-lying streams could rise extremely quickly, and rural roads could become submerged or impassable in a short space of time.

The M50 is extremely busy this morning as an accident at Junction 12, Firhouse, is causing massive delays and two lanes of the motorway are closed at Junction 13, Dundrum.

Motorists are being advised to take extra care, plan for delays and under no account to drive through floodwater, as even shallow water can have hidden dangers and could lead to vehicles being swept away or stranded.

Significant flooding has already caused road closures along the East coast and motorists should check local council alerts and traffic updates before travelling.

The River Slaney in Enniscorthy is extremely high this morning, and the local council have closed off the Quays in the area.

The N-80 in Bunclody is also closed, and diversions are in place, with further diversions at Junction 9 on the N11 main thoroughfare from the Southeast into Dublin.

A number of ferry sailings have been cancelled. Sailings from Rosslare to Cherbourg are worst affected, and intending passengers are advised to contact their ferry company.

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Up to 100 schools are closed in Northern Ireland due to the high winds and dangerous travel conditions.

Education officials in Belfast said there are currently no plans for blanket school closures, following discussions with both the Department and the Minister. However, school principals have been advised to keep a close eye on local conditions and weather alerts, and to make their own calls where safety becomes a concern.

Meanwhile, in the Republic, the Department of Education and Youth said it is keeping the situation under review and will act on any guidance issued by the National Emergency Coordination Group. Schools have again been reminded that the final decision to close remains with individual school management, who are urged to stay informed as weather warnings evolve.

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.