LIVE: Number of areas of Cork city and county remain imable due to floods
Clearing up flood damage in Rathcormac. Picture; Eddie O'Hare
Cork City Council is advising that the Straight Road is still flooded and closed.
City council crews will review the road in the morning.
Castlemartyr is imable this evening after the River Kiltha burst its banks.
In a post on social media, Cork County Council urged people to avoid the area.
Meanwhile, Cork City Council is advising that the Lee Road will remain closed overnight due to flooding.
The Centre Park and Monaghan Roads are still flooded and will remain closed over night.
They will be reviewed again in the morning by Cork City Council crews.
A number of residents at the Owenacurra Centre in Midleton had to be moved off-site today, while a number of residents at Midleton Community Hospital had to be relocated to another part of the complex following the flooding in the town today.
Cork Kerry Community Healthcare confirmed to the Echo that two HSE residential buildings in the town were impacted by the floods.
"Six residents were safely moved from the Owenacurra Centre and are being ed by staff off-site, while a number of residents of Midleton Community Hospital have been safely relocated within the complex. Water entered a part of Midleton Community Hospital (what’s referred to as the front hospital) but did not reach the rest of the campus, which allowed us to safely move the affected residents to another part of the facility," a spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said that the wider campus was also affected.
"A small number of attendees at the Day Service in the McAuley Centre were delayed in leaving the centre, and the Public Health Nurses health centre and the dental clinics on the same campus will remain closed tomorrow. This means that all clinics and on-site appointments scheduled for public health nursing and dental services in Midleton tomorrow are cancelled. We expect that services will run as normal as Friday," the spokesperson said.
"We wish to thank our staff for their swift actions in assisting vulnerable residents at both Midleton Community Hospital, the Owenacurra Centre and the McAuley Centre. We also wish to thank an Garda Síochana, Cork County Council, the voluntary emergency services and colleagues from across the HSE for their assistance.
"Our current focus is on the safety and wellbeing of the residents affected. We continue to monitor the situation carefully," they added.
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, TD, has confirmed that the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is available to provide to those living in properties directly affected by flooding in Cork Storm Babet.
The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme prevents hardship by providing income-tested financial to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who are unable to meet costs for essential needs, household items and structural repair.
Minister Humphreys she was very conscious that Storm Babet is causing severe flooding and disruption, particularly in the Midleton area of Cork.
“Other parts of the county and indeed country may also be affected until the storm es.
“My Department is liaising on the ground with the people affected to make sure they have access to the help that they need.
“The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is open and is available.” Minister Humphreys added:
“If any homeowner affected by Storm Babet needs to access these s, they can the Community Welfare Service by phoning 0818 60 70 80.
Personnel from the army and the Civil Defence are on site in Midleton where authorities are dealing with significant floods.
Cork County Council said this evening that the town is currently imable with more than 100 properties flooded.
A rest centre has been established in Midleton Community Centre to facilitate persons who require evacuation.
Cork County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team convened this afternoon to access the impact of the unprecedented flooding across the county resulting from significant rainfall, a month’s worth in the last 24 hours, saturated land and high river levels.
The Severe Weather Assessment Team has been meeting continually since Monday, and will convene again tonight at 9pm as the situation and its impact on communities continues to evolve.
Midleton town is currently imable and the Council has established a Coordination Centre in Midleton Fire Station to coordinate arrangements.
A local authority spokesperson said this evening that the army and Civil Defence are currently on site in Midleton and are ing evacuation measures.
Cork County Council is aware of the flooding of properties in Whitegate, Rathcormac,Glandore , Ringaskiddy Carrigaline, Raffeen, Halfway and Casteltownbere.
The road network across the county has been impacted with rolling road closures. The N71 is closed at Rosscarbery with diversions through the town. The N71 is also closed at Innishannon with reports of spot flooding at the Halfway roundabout. Traffic will be diverted via Crossbarry. The R610 in Carrigaline is virtually imable.
Considering the volume of rainfall in the last 24 hours together with ongoing forecasted conditions, saturated land, high river and stream levels and coastal overtopping, Cork County Council continues to ask all road s to exercise extreme caution and only travel if necessary.
In a statement, it said: "Unnecessary journeys should be avoided as the full extent of the damage is impossible to assess at this time. Motorists who must travel are asked to exercise extreme caution as driving conditions will be hazardous, with surface flash flooding and localised flooding. Please avoid driving through flowing or standing water, exercise extreme caution during heavy rain and be especially conscious of vulnerable road s such as cyclists and pedestrians."
It said that council crews and contractors have been active both in advance of this event and throughout assisting road s, homes and businesses and are operating in very challenging conditions.
"Additional precautionary measures with particular focus on areas previously impacted by earlier flood events were made. Areas where flood defence schemes have been completed fared far better than others.
"Cork County Council will continue to inspection and undertake emergency repair works on the roads most severely impacted across the region, having also commenced the considerable clean-up programme that lies ahead. Again, motorists are asked to be aware of the impact on the road network with damage expected as a result of standing water.
"With high river levels, of the public are advised to stay high, stay dry and away from the coast, rivers and lakes," it added.
Cork County Council will continue to monitor this situation.
Parts of Cork city and county are imable after being hit with torrential rainfall throughout Wednesday.
Large parts of Midleton are underwater after the town was one of the areas worst affected by Storm Babet, with the flooding described as being some of the worst experienced in the town in decades.
People are being asked to avoid the area where possible.
In the city, Blackpool village and Glanmire village are currently imable, according to Cork City Council, with both council staff and Cork City Fire Service crews on site to assist residents in the area.
"Cork City continues to experience river flooding and surface water flooding across the city," a spokesperson said this evening.
The Carrigrohane Straight Road is also flooded, with traffic still moving at a slow pace.
"Rainfall is is expected to ease off this evening but there is still a significant amount of water in the river network, so it may be a number of hours before roads clear," the spokesperson added. "Motorists are asked to avoid unnecessary travel, and if you must travel, please proceed with caution and follow any diversions that may be in place on your normal route. Reports have come in of motorists ignoring road closure signs in the city.
"While the weather will remain wet in the coming days, tidal flooding is not expected."
UPDATE 3.30pm: A Cork councillor has said she has never witnessed anything like the flooding in Midleton today in her 41 years of living in the town.
Fianna Fáil councillor Ann Marie Ahern was speaking to The Echo about the disruption that severe flooding had caused in the town.
Describing the situation in the town and its surrounding hinterland as “a worst-case scenario”, Ms Ahern said the town is under three to four feet of water.
“I’ve never, and I’m living in Midleton 41 years, in my life seen anything like this. This far outweighs the flooding of 2016,” she said.
“All over Midleton is completely flooded. The Relief Road, the N25, rural roads.
“Cork County Council, the fire brigade, the gardaí have all been tremendously ive to the town of Midleton and the environs in actually trying to get to locations and get flooding released but this is the worst I could say we have ever experienced in East Cork. Ever.
“The Owenacurra River has completely burst its banks and it’s impacting on all of the drainage and sewerage and it’s overflowing into roads and onto the streets and homes.
I think it will be later this evening and tomorrow before we know the full impact of the damage.
Speaking about the damage that has been done to many businesses and facilities in the town she said: “At this stage, what I would say is we have alternative roads but there are businesses now in the town of Midleton that are after being affected.
"You’ve Murphy’s Pharmacy, O’Hares petrol pumps, the Mill Wheel, and that’s just one end of the town. Supervalu is completely washed out. I’m speechless as I’m going through Midleton looking at it. It’s absolutely heartbreaking what’s going on.”
Meanwhile, Cork County Council has sought the assistance of army personnel along with of the Civil Defence to deal with the impacts of today’s flooding, the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn, has confirmed.
Mr O’Flynn has also appealed to the public to avoid unnecessary travel as crews work to deal with the “unprecedented” impacts of the heavy rainfall.
“Cork County Council has called out the army and Civil Defence to deal with the flooding, especially in East Cork,” Mr O’Flynn told The Echo.
The County Mayor said Midelton and Lisgoold are among the worst affected areas.
“In North Cork, there is an awful lot of flooding on local roads, an awful lot of flooding on local roads.
“The barriers are gone up in Fermoy since early yesterday morning,” he said of his own electoral area.
He praised the work carried out by Cork County Council staff who he said have “been out all night” working to mitigate the impacts and thanked the Army and Civil Defence for assisting.
Mr O’Flynn said the amount of rain that has fallen over the past 24-hours is very concerning.
“The Met Éireann Orange Rainfall warning, which has just expired, has resulted in a months’ worth of rain falling in just 24 hours.
“This is on top of already saturated lands and high river levels.
“It is evidence, if any were needed, of our changing climate and the issues that it presents.
I am especially conscious of the advanced preparations that were undertaken by Cork County Council in mitigating the effects of this event and how, despite every effort, homes, businesses and road s have been impacted.
“Areas where flood defence schemes have been completed fared far better than others in the face of this deluge.
“I know from speaking with Council staff that some of the issues they are dealing with are unprecedented, with roads which have never flooded now under water,” he said.
“I am calling on the people of Cork to please avoid unnecessary travel, take extreme care if you must set off on a journey and please think of vulnerable road s, especially pedestrians and cyclists.
“As a Council, we will continue to work across the county, both in a preventative capacity while also dealing with issues as they arise.
“The results of this weather event will be long felt as we move toward a clean-up phase but can I please reiterate the importance of staying safe and together we will come through this weather event,” he continued.
In the city, Blackpool village is also experiencing flooding this afternoon, with Council staff currently on site.
There is also considerable water on the road near The Commons Inn.
UPDATE - 2.47pm: The Status Orange rain warning issued for Cork has been updated to a Status Yellow rain warning as the city and towns and villages across the county experience significant flooding.
The Met Éireann weather warning has been updated this afternoon and the Status Yellow rain warning for Cork will remain in place until 6pm this evening.
Met Éireann has forecast spells of heavy rain and strong and gusty winds at times with possible impacts including localised flooding, reduced visibility and dangerous road conditions.
Speaking to The Echo, Third Officer at Cork City Fire Brigade Gerard Ryan said: “We were on from 6pm last night to 9am this morning and what happened was during rush hour and the high tide and with the tide coming up, the water couldn’t get off the surfaces.
“There were a lot of people who got caught driving into unexpected flash flooding. A lot of it was only minor rescues and there was a heavy surge last night of calls just between 6pm and 8pm and again this morning between around 8am to about 10.30am.
“There were a lot of rescue calls for people stuck in floods in cars. On top of that then, we had the rover rescue last night on Patrick’s Quay.” Meanwhile, Cork College of FET Douglas Street Campus has cancelled all evening classes this evening as college access is impossible due to significant flooding on the street.
A local councillor has said this morning that the Glanmire area is “under severe threat”.
Independent councillor Ger Keohane told The Echo that some homes in the area have flooded, with attempts being made by residents and Cork City Council crews to limit the damage.
Videos shared on social media show significant flooding at Copper Valley and Meadowbrook housing estates in Glanmire.
Mr Keohane said people are not leaving their homes and are at their front doors with brushes trying their best to keep the water out of their homes.
Sandbags are being provided by Cork City Council crews.
Mr Keohane said an SOS call was put out on Facebook by residents of Copper Valley asking for help.
“They’ve asked if there’s anyone available to come over with buckets just to help,” he said.
“Glanmire is under severe threat at the minute.
“In fairness to the outdoor crew of City Council down here, they’re just overwhelmed with the amount of water. They’re only dealing with properties under threat at the minute.
“The Council are down here now at the minute and they’re doing their best.
“All the low-lying areas of Glanmire are affected. The Hazelwood Centre is flooded, that’s where the library and funeral home are. It’s just a mess.”
Significant flooding is occurring across Cork this morning as Storm Babet brings torrential rain to the city and county.
South Terrace, and ading streets, were seriously impacted by surface water this morning as was North Mall and the South City Link Road.
Lavitts Quay, Popes Quay and Wandesford Quay in the city centre and Glanmire, Rochestown and Blarney were also flooded badly.
In Rochestown, a child was escorted home from Little Wonders Preschool by the emergency services this morning, as the roads around Rochestown remain flooded.
A number of motorists stuck in flood waters had to be rescued and Cork City Council is advising people to drive with care and not to enter heavily flooded roads as emergency services are at full capacity.
Meanwhile, Iarnróid Éireann has announced that services between Cork/Cobh and Cork/Midleton have been suspended until further notice due to flooding on the line.
Heavy rain is expected until lunchtime today but then it will begin to ease meaning river levels can drop and roads can be reopened.
In Blarney, the River Shournagh will likely remain in flood until teatime so motorists are advised to plan accordingly.
Cork County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team convened again this morning in relation to the effects of the Met Éireann Orange Rain Warning.
Significant rainfall has led to localised and spot flooding impacting the road network across the county resulting in many parts of the road network closing throughout the day.
Cork County Council continues to ask all road s to exercise extreme caution and only travel if necessary and of the public are advised to stay high, stay dry and stay away from the coast, rivers and lakes.
Council crews and contractors have been in operation both in advance and throughout this weather event, assisting road s, homes and businesses and are operating in very challenging conditions.
Pumping arrangements together with removal of debris from grates and culverts continues. With many trees in full leaf, fallen branches and debris, gullies and culverts continue to be impacted.
Cork Airport is advising engers travelling to the airport to exercise "due caution" as they make their way to check in for flights due to flooding and surface weather caused by Storm Babet.
City Council workers are assisting people at a number of homes in the city that have experienced flooding.
St s College in Rochestown has been closed due to weather and road conditions.
A number of Glanmire roads are imable including the R614 Whitecross at Hennessys garage, Sarsfields Court Hospital side of Buck Learys cross and at Rathcooney/Bowling road junction.
Westbound on the North Mall is closed due to flooding.
Issues are also being experienced ing through on South Mall and Monastery Road.
Cork City Council are not yet aware of any major damage to city centre properties.
Traffic is slow on a number of roads into the city including on the N40.
⚠️ Westbound traffic lane closed on North Mall due to surface flooding.
— Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) October 18, 2023
Gel bags also being used to protect property ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/WDapv56wUy
DRIVING conditions this morning across Cork are described as difficult with surface water and spot flooding in places.
Rain warnings for every county in Ireland were in place overnight, having come into effect at various stages on Tuesday due to Storm Babet.
A Status Orange rain warning is in place in Cork, Kerry and Waterford until 1pm this afternoon.
That warning is due to the risk of flooding, dangerous road conditions and possible wave overtopping at high tide amid heavy rain and strong gusts.
Cork County Council said this morning: "Please take additional care if travelling this morning. Many roads have been effected with surface water and localised flooding. Please also be conscious of pedestrians and cyclists."
There are reports of traffic delays on the Cork road from Carrigaline this morning.
There are also restrictions in parts of Cork city this morning with Cotter St and Rutland St closed and Pope's Quay able but only at a low speed due to flooding.
⚠️ Take extra care on Popes Quay this morning due to surface water flooding.
— Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) October 18, 2023
It remains able at a low speed ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/xIrU8b8m1P
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Please take additional care if travelling this morning. Many roads have been effected with surface water and localised flooding. Please also be conscious of pedestrians and cyclists. 📞 (021) 4800048 to report any issues ⚠️⚠️⚠️ pic.twitter.com/SzXo0DO2JN
— Cork County Council (@Corkcoco) October 18, 2023
The Status Yellow rain warning for the rest of the country ends between 6pm-8pm.
⚠️Cotter st is closed off due to surface water flooding pic.twitter.com/3FXWoQG9Z3
— Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) October 18, 2023
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