Storm Gerrit: Roads across Cork closed, Fota shuts gates early

James Cox

Roads across Cork have been closed due to the heavy rainfall brought about by Storm Gerrit.

The L-4624 near Ballineen in West Cork is impassable due to flooding, as is the R587 Dunmanway to Macroom road.

In North Cork, the L-1226 which links the N72 to Killavullen is closed due to flooding, including Longfields Bridge and Killavullen Bridge.

So too is the R-621, which connects the Navigation Road by Cork Racecourse, Mallow to the Quartertown Road. The County Council has erected demountable flood defences in Mallow and all penstocks have now been closed.

West Cork, and the Beara Peninsula, will experience storm force winds with violent gusts for a time this evening, particularly between the hours of 6-8pm. Please take extreme care. pic.twitter.com/ZEb3cj0o3r

— Cork County Council (@Corkcoco) December 27, 2023

Meanwhile, in East Cork, the L-2991 on Great Island is passable again. Cork County Council's Severe Weather Assessment Team met this morning and said council response crews and contractors have been put on notice and are on standby.

Fota Wildlife Park has announced it will close early today, ahead of orange weather warnings in Cork.

The last entry is now 2pm, and the park will fully close at 3pm. The company said it is contacting all bookings and apologises for any inconvenience.