More heavy rain forecast as services disrupted by flooding

MET ÉIREANN is forecasting more wet weather today following a 24-hour period that saw more than 25mm (an inch) of rain falling in many places.

There was widespread flooding reported in Dublin, Cork and Waterford with most of the rain falling early yesterday. Cork City Fire Brigade also reported that a number of streets had to be closed last night due to flooding at high tide.

Met Éireann forecaster Jim O’Brien said many places were affected by heavy rain that fell in short bursts. The worst affected areas were in the east, southeast and south.

Mr O’Brien predicted there would be a lot of heavy or thundery showers across the country again today but it was difficult to accurately pinpoint where the worst of them would fall.

Cork city, which has experienced heavy flooding on several occasions in recent years, was once again badly affected by heavy rainfall yesterday.

Parts of Union Quay, Morrison’s Island and Fr Matthew Quay were under water and impassable to traffic as high tide reached its peak at 7.15am.

Surface water on Sharman Crawford Street, George’s Quay, South Terrace and Lavitt’s Quay caused traffic access problems around the city.

Business owners placed sandbags outside flood-risk premises as heavy rains continued. However, floodwaters did recede.

Several inches of floodwater breached the square in Bantry where a small number of businesses were affected.

County council workers and the fire brigade worked to clear the area and waters receded with the tide.

The Quay Wall in Youghal was breached by floodwaters at high tide yesterday morning, while the pier area in Kinsale was also affected.

Belvelly Bridge linking Cobh to the mainland was badly flooded, while Clonakilty – flooded three times in the past five months – was unaffected, despite heavy rainfall.

Rail services in the southeast were disrupted by flooding that affected Waterford railway station.

Services were suspended for a time between Waterford and Kilkenny and Waterford and Carrick-on-Suir, with a bus transfer in place. The station is next to the river Suir and has been known to flood in the past.

In Dublin there were reports of severe flooding on the Long Mile Road, Pembroke Road, Northumberland Road and Blessington Road areas as well as in Tallaght, Jobstown, Fosters Avenue, Chapelizod Road outbound at Palmerstown and Walkinstown Road roundabout. The Strawberry Beds, which is frequently flooded, was closed from Larachon to Tinkers Hill.

Outbound Dublin traffic was severely affected by flooding at the junction of the Long Mile Road and N7. On the M1 at Lusk cars were stuck in flooding.

Flooding at Sandycove caused intermittent disruption to Dart services at rush-hour early yesterday between Dalkey and Dún Laoghaire.

O’Hanrahan Bridge in New Ross was impassable yesterday morning as the river Barrow burst its banks earlier. Mr O’Brien said the forecast for the coming days is for the rain to ease off but there will still be showers.