Homes to be financed: About 70 homes and businesses were destroyed in New Ross by the floods

    Source: PA

IRELAND: Drivers have been urged to take extra care today after heavy rains caused localized flooding in many places.

The south-eastern region of the country was the most affected. Many roads have been closed in places like Wexford and Carlow.

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys has confirmed that support will be made available to people affected by the floods in Wexford.

Officers from the department's Community Welfare Service have been working with Wexford County Council and other agencies to respond to recent flooding.

Financial assistance will be provided to the affected households once the clean-up operations begin.

Officials from my department are assisting Wexford residents whose homes have been affected by the heavy flooding, according to Minister Humphreys.

The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is now operational, and any families or people in need should get in touch with our Community Welfare Service teams for help with financial support.

Contact the Department at 0818 60 70 80 or cwswexford@welfare.ie if a household needs information about the supports that are available to them.

Emergency response crews have been stood down for tonight in New Ross, with roads crews still undertaking cleanups post flooding. Several roads in & around the town have been damaged and while passable, caution is urged. Assessment on damages will continue tomorrow. @DLooby1977

— Wexford County Council (@wexfordcoco) August 15, 2022

⚠️ROAD CLOSED⚠️
R725 closed in Tullow town between Applegreen and Tullow bridge due to flooding.
Please avoid Tullow town until further notice @kclr96fm @Carlowlive1 @CWnationalist @allaboutcarlow @CarlowPPN pic.twitter.com/o1kuYqMjaE

— CarlowCountyCouncil (@Carlow_Co_Co) August 15, 2022

Businesses affected by the flooding have been urged to contact the Irish Red Cross for advice and support.

⚠️Businesses in New Ross affected by flooding yesterday should contact the Irish Red Cross https://t.co/Xhsnb6qS7C The scheme is to open in the coming days. Spread the word. @newrossstreetf1 @VisitNewRoss @newrossstandard @DLooby1977 @wexlibraries

— Wexford County Council (@wexfordcoco) August 16, 2022

Wexford County Council believes that yesterday's precipitation totaled between 30mm and 40mm during the course of less than 1.5 hours, in addition to significant hail.

As of late Friday night, serious water damage had been found in 30 residences and 38 businesses in the town of New Ross.

Between 5pm and midnight, the area was addressed by five County Wexford Fire Service units, twelve Civil Defense personnel, and twenty-two outdoor crew members from the District Office.

Around the New Ross town region, upwards of 12 highways and junctions have suffered significant damage.

In Kerry, a local road is closed as council crews analyse and collect debris from a bogslide that occurred during yesterday's torrential rain. 

The L-6518 local road at Maughanknockane, Ballymacelligott will remain closed from Kielduff Cross to Carrigcannon Cross until further notice while Council crews assess and clear the road following a bogslide during heavy rain on Monday pic.twitter.com/bJbf9TyR0h

— Kerry County Council - Comhairle Contae Chiarraí (@countykerry) August 16, 2022

You may find the most recent updates on road closures here.

Drivers are urged by AA Roadwatch to exercise additional caution because it's not always evident how deep flooding or surface water is on the roads.

The organisation says to drive extremely cautiously even if you believe the water level is low enough for you to pass through without causing damage.

"It's ideal to move along slowly in a low gear while maintaining a high engine rev limit. This lessens the chance of aquaplaning by preventing water from entering the exhaust, preventing the formation of waves, and more." 

After coming out the opposite side, drive slowly for a while, briefly pressing the brake pedal, and then accelerate normally. The brakes will dry as a result, and aquaplaning will be avoided. 

Thunderstorms

There are no weather alerts in effect right now, but a thunderstorm weather alert with a Status Orange level was in effect yesterday until 10 p.m. for Munster, Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Kildare, Wicklow, and Dublin.

Animation showing the lightning strikes yesterday, intense lightning with torrential downpours and sadly flash flooding. pic.twitter.com/I3QAb30GOi

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) August 16, 2022

 

Today will be generally dry with a few "well distributed light showers," according to Met Éireann. Although there will be some sunny intervals, there will be a lot of cloud overall, particularly in some areas of the north and east.

With more bright spells emerging throughout the day, the showers will become more isolated. The highest temperatures will be between 15 and 20 °C. 

Dry for most this morning with just well scattered light showers. ☔️

Rather cloudy in the north & east with the best of the sunny spells in the west & southwest. 🌤️

Highs of 15 to 20°C in moderate to fresh north to northeast winds. 🍃 pic.twitter.com/vxeZ0YzGBa

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) August 16, 2022

Tonight is expected to be largely dry with a mix of cloud and clear spells along with a few passing showers. Lowest temperatures will range from six to 11 degrees.