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Status Orange weather warnings have been issued for Cork and Kerry from noon today.
The rain warning will be in place for 24 hours until midday tomorrow.
Met Éireann is forecasting persistent rain, heavy at times, accompanied by strong onshore winds, high tides and elevated river levels.
Potential impacts include flooding, wave overtopping and difficult travelling conditions.
Met Éireann has issued a Status ORANGE warning for #Kerry
Noon Wednesday to noon on Thursday
Flooding and hazardous conditions expected pic.twitter.com/7YdRstf1yQ— Kerry County Council - Comhairle Contae Chiarraí (@countykerry) March 12, 2024
Owner of 3 Little Piggies café in Cork City, Paul Walsh, said an Orange alert brings big concern.
"With the wind, high tide and you get the rain on top of it, it's a perfect storm for the city when it all meets together," he said.
"That's when the likes of Oliver Plunkett Street and the South Terrace are in real trouble.
"When you see the Orange warnings coming in, you've always got that risk that it's going to enter premises and cause damage to floors, stock.
"There is no insurance to cover any of that."
Mr Walsh said major flooding could close businesses.
"It makes them very nervous, makes them very nervous that they've no fall back really," he said.
"Businesses are all tight at moment, they're all struggling, and to take a major impact of a major flood it'd close businesses - that's the fear," he added.
Separately, a Status Yellow alert for rain will kick in for Waterford from midday.
Advice for motorists
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads.
Road users in areas affected by the Orange Warning for heavy rain are advised to check local traffic and weather conditions before setting out on a journey.
It has issued advice to road users on foot of the weather warnings.
Drivers need to slow down and allow a greater braking distance between themselves and the vehicle in front in wet weather conditions.
This is especially important on high speed roads such as dual carriageways and motorways where there is increased danger of aquaplaning.
Drivers should take special care when driving behind goods vehicles as they generate a considerable amount of spray which reduces visibility - hold back to where you can see their mirrors.
A road closure sign is seen in February 2020. Image: DAVID BARRETT / Alamy Stock PhotoIf the road ahead is flooded choose another route, do not attempt to drive through it.
Flooded roads that appear shallow could be deeper than you think. The verge may have subsided and there may also be trees or branches that have fallen that may not be visible.
Road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic that have been put there by the local council or An Garda Síochána.
After going through water, they should drive slowly with their foot on the brake pedal for a short distance - this helps to dry the brakes.
Motorists should also drive with dipped headlights at all times to ensure that they are visible and that they can see other road users.
Pedestrians should walk on the right-hand side of the road facing traffic if there are no footpaths.
Cyclist should ensure that they and their bike are visible to other road users by investing in a good set of front and rear lights and by wearing clothes that help them be seen on your bike.
