A 'month's worth' of rain hits Cork in 24 hours
Roads are slowly beginning to open back up in Cork this morning after Storm Babet left many parts of the city and county submerged.
Cork City Council has confirmed that the R579 and Lee Road are now open to traffic again.
It was also confirmed that Centre Park Road near the Marina has been partially reopened but remains closed from Fords Road to the Marina with cleaning crews due on site later. Monahan Road is still flooded and remains closed.
In the county, Road R-587-167 is now passable. Townlands on this road include Demesne, Derreens, Derrylahan, and Ardcahan.
Cork County Council has also confirmed that the N25 at Castlemartyr is still impassible to traffic, with diversion routes remaining in place via Tallow, Conna, Rathcormac, and Dunkettle.
“Please take care if travelling this morning. A number of roads are closed and impassable. Please be aware of standing water with damage to roads and be especially conscious of vulnerable roads users such as pedestrians and cyclists,” Cork County Council posted on social media.
Flooding was widespread yesterday with some of the worst affected spots including Midleton, Youghal, Glanmire, Passage West, and Cork city centre.
Over 100 properties were flooded in Midleton with much of the town centre completely submerged.
Emergency services attended a flash flood in Youghal after residents raised the alarm when a worrying amount of water was seen to be collecting near a housing estate.
Serious flooding was also report at Flaxbridge in Clonakilty.
Defence Forces were deployed to parts of East Cork to provide emergency support to residents, a move welcomed by Fianna Fáil Cork East TD James O’Connor.
“I’m deeply concerned by the very significant damage caused by heavy rainfall in parts of Cork,” said deputy O’Connor.
He continued: “Many roads in Midleton, Killeagh, Youghal, and the surrounding areas are impassable due to the severe flood waters. It has badly affected many homes, businesses and community buildings and facilities.
“Very substantial damage has been done and I am calling for further emergency support from the Government to support the areas affected.”
Sharing photos online of severe flooding in Midleton, Independent Cllr Liam Quaide wrote: “Climate change is here. Absolutely vital that we double down on mitigation & adaptation.”
Cork County Council responded to 106 incidents between 5pm on Tuesday and 9am Wednesday morning with the Cork County Fire Service responding to over 30 additional calls.
Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Frank O’Flynn yesterday said: “The Met Eireann Orange Rainfall has resulted in a month's 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.
“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 added.