Update from Cork County Council on Met Eireann Orange Rain Warning

Cork County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team convened again this morning in relation to the effects of the Met Eireann Orange Rain Warning, which remains in effect until 1.00pm today. 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. 

With significant 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 users to exercise extreme caution and only travel if necessary.  Motorists who must travel are asked to exercise extreme cautiousness 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 users such as cyclists and pedestrians.

Council crews and contractors have been in operation both in advance and throughout this weather event, assisting road users, 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.  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. Water run-off from saturated land with continued rainfall is significantly affecting all county areas.

Council responded to 106 incidents between 5pm yesterday and 9am this morning with the Cork County Fire Service responding to over 30 additional calls to date. The number of calls within this period is reflective of the widespread and severe nature of this weather event.

Cork County Council continues inspections and 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, members of the public are advised to stay high, stay dry and stay away from the coast, rivers and lakes.  

Issues such as flooding and road damage should be reported to your local Council Office during working hours (9am to 5pm), details of which can be found by visiting www.corkcoco.ie. Outside working hours (5pm to 9am), the Council can be contacted via its 'Emergency Out of Hours' number (021) 4800048.

Forecasted conditions may give rise to localised power outages. In the event of disruption to power supply, please contact ESB Networks at 1800 372 999.

In the event of disruption to water supply, please contact Uisce Éireann at 1800 278 278.

Call 999 or 112 and request the Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Gardaí or Irish Coastguard as appropriate.

Cork County Council will continue to monitor this situation.