County Mayor urges public to avoid unnecessary travel as crews deal with 'unprecedented' flooding impacts 

The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn, has urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel as crews work to deal with some “unprecedented” impacts of today's flooding. 

Mr O'Flynn this afternoon said Cork County Council has sought the assistance of Army personnel along with members of the Civil Defence to deal with the fallout from the sustained 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.

More and more pictures being sent in to us of the devastation in Midleton as a result of #StormBabet. pic.twitter.com/ckXKjM47Ih

— Cork Safety Alerts (@CorkSafetyAlert) October 18, 2023

“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 users 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 users, 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.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil Cork East TD James O’Connor has welcomed the deployment of the Defence Forces to parts of East Cork due to the severe flooding in the region.

“I’m deeply concerned by the very significant damage caused by heavy rainfall in parts of Cork. 

“I welcome the decision by the Defence Forces to provide emergency support after a request from Cork County Council due to severe flooding on Wednesday.

“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.”

Meanwhile, Irish Rail has reminded customers that train services are currently suspended between Cork city and Cobh/Midleton due to flooding on the line.

No bus transfers are possible to and from Midleton due to road flooding and there are limited transfers to and from Cobh.