Bantry high tide passes without major incident, County Council says after day of flooding across Cork

Cork County Council has said that a high tide in Bantry this evening passed off without incident, allaying the fears of local business owners and residents who had been counting the cost of flooding damage caused by intense rainfall during the ongoing Status Orange Rainfall alert.

According to a statement issued this evening, the County Council's Crisis Management Team convened twice during the day and was scheduled to meet again later tonight, when the alert is scheduled to expire at midnight.

Business owners and householders in Cork impacted by flooding caused during the ongoing Status Orange rainfall alert had earlier been given an assurance by Taoiseach Simon Harris that they will be supported.

Mr Harris issued a statement on social media on Saturday evening following a day of intense rainfall across the county leading to flooding on many roads and streets around Cork city as well as in Bantry where shopowners and businesses were coiunting the cost of damage done to their premises.

"Cork floods are a concern for households and businesses," said Mr. Harris in a social media post. "Thanks to all agencies and their staff who are working on the response and will continue to provide support in the coming days. 

"I am being kept updated on the situation.  We will ensure those impacted are supported."

Cork South Central Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire described as 'very serious' the reports of flooding around Cork.  

At present there are reports of flooding on the Main Street in Carrigaline, Vicars Road, Leghnamore, South Terrace, Douglas Street, the Kinsale Road Roundabout and College and Magazine Road. 

In the city the North Mall is under two feet of flooding following an accumulation caused by water cascading down Shandon Street.

Motorists on Cork's North Ring Road have been advised to drive with caution as there have been reports of heavy flooding near Ballinderry Park.

There have been numerous reports of flooding on roads around the city with spot flooding on the Magazine Road near the Presentation Brothers Rugby Club and what is described as tyre deep flooding in front of the Circle K garage at Little Island.

Earlier a sewage pipe burst on Oliver Plunkett Street and there have been reports of raw sewage on the street as a result while there also reports of flooding on the R610 between Raffeen and Glenbrook.

There have been reports also of spot flooding on the Lower Glanmire Road and also after the Dunkettle Roundabout east bound with a warning that lane 1 is impassable.  There is also flooding on the Banduff Road while Fota Wildlife Park has announced it has closed since 3pm today in the interest of the safety of the animals, staff and visitors.

A number of homes and business premises in the New Street and Main Street areas of Bantry were flooded during intense rainfall in the town this morning.

"A number of businesses were hit in the town - floodwater came in the back and out the front, and floors were destroyed," said Independent Ireland TD Michael Collins.

Bantry based councillor, Danny Collins, told The Echo that it had been a 'hard day' for the town as the morning had seen flooding which had impacted several businesses and there had been fears during the day that the high tide, due around 7pm, would add to the damage. 

"I do hope and pray that we have seen the worst of it and it has passed," he said.  "I'd like to thank the engineers and staff of Cork County Council, Bantry Fire Brigade and the many volunteers wh rolled up their sleeves and helped our stricken establishments.

"Look the OPW need to expedite the flood relief and culvert works as soon as possible as this has gone for far too long now."

There have been further reports of flooding on the N71 near Bantry at Drumaclarig/Carrigrour as well as spot flooding around Ballycommane and Letterlickey.

There are also reports that there's flooding on the R586, connecting Bantry and Bandon, particularly near the Dromore junction. 

The R585 east of Cousane Gap is flooded at the turn off for Dunmanway according to reports. 

A Status Orange rainfall alert has been in place in Cork and Kerry since midnight on Friday and will remain in force for twenty four hours. 

The persistent rain has been getting heavier throughout the morning in West Cork as the after effects of Hurricane Kirk 

Cork County Council's Severe Weather Assessment Team convened n Saturday afternoon.  They have estimated that 50mm of rain fell in some locations across the county up to 5pm on Saturday.