Flooding risk continues across Cork

There was a sigh of relief in Cork yesterday when businesses and homes across the county escaped any major damage from the floods which had spread over night. Areas in the city and county were flooded following heavy overnight rain on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning after Met Eireann had issued a warning of severe storms on Tuesday afternoon.

There were many areas in the city centre that were impassable including Morrisson's Quay, Lavitt's Quay, Union Quay and Fr Mathew Quay although these were all cleared quickly. Several businesses on the South Mall were unable to access their offices yesterday morning due to flooding. The lower part of the South Mall was inaccessible for a time and workers were forced to stand and wait until the water cleared at about 9.45am.

One worker, Miriam Warren, an Environmental Health Officer with the HSE whose offices are based at 26 South Mall said that she was stuck waiting on the South Mall for over an hour this morning - until a volunteer began to clear the drains.



"We have steps up to our office so the building itself was fine but we weren't able to get to the steps because the footpaths were flooded. We had to wait it out until the water drained, from where I was there seemed to be no one from the Corporation about, but I did speak with one man who had drain rods who said he was doing a good deed as he had a friend who worked on the South Mall."

Cobh

Meanwhile businesses and homes in Cobh escaped damage with only the bridge access off the island affected.
"We will always experience bad flooding on the Fota Bridge are when there is high tide and a lot of rain," said Cobh Mayor Sinéad Sheppard.

"People were able to access the back roads for a while but they were closed also due to the high tide. There was flooding in the ferry area but it was passable so we weren't completely blocked off."

Ms Sheppard highlighted that the monthly checks of gullies and drainage by the Town Council in Cobh meant that businesses and homes were not affected by the heavy rain and high tide.

Clonakilty

Mayor of Clonakilty Cionnaith Ó Suilleabháin welcomed the warning system that allowed residents and business prepare for any flooding last night, ensuring damage was minimalised.

"It just goes to show what a few hours notice can achieve," said Mr Ó Suilleabháin.

"It could have been very serious with the high tide and there was a lot of flooding on the streets but nothing like the last three times."

Mr Ó Suilleabháin paid tribute to Clonakilty Town Clerk Justin English and Foreman Seamus Daly for the work they did throughout the night, and the work of the Gardaí and Civil Defence.

"It was a big test, and we passed it," he said.

At the time of going to print Met Éireann has issued another severe weather warning for heavy rain and strong winds and business owners were being advised to put down sandbags ahead of the high tide which was expected at 7.34pm.

Blackpool village avoided flooding yesterday morning to the relief of residents and business people. Business owners in the village were warned of possible flooding yesterday at around 5pm by Cork City Council's early warning system.

In the end, Blackpool escaped all flooding on Wednesday morning. Many businesses have installed flood barriers after the extensive flooding that occurred in late June, but some businesses were still waiting for the delivery of flood barriers.