Most people who heard the weather forecasts at the weekend that mentioned Storm Chandra will not have expected the devastation it was to bring on Monday and Tuesday. 

The east coast was hit hardest. Homes were flooded that had never flooded before, rivers burst their banks, road and rail closures caused traffic chaos and businesses were forced to close. 

Some of the areas worst hit by the floods received almost half their average rainfall for January in one 24-hour period.

But shouldn’t there have been stronger warnings of what was likely to come and what are people supposed to do when they are told flooding is likely? 

Climate change is altering weather patterns with potentially devastating results, so how prepared is the Government for what is to come?

Irish Times climate and science correspondent Caroline O’Doherty explains why Storm Chandra hit so hard and why some areas were impacted more than others. 

And we hear from Rathfarnham resident Ciaran Kirwan whose home was flooded.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan. 

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