Storm Chandra: Heavy flooding in Wexford and Waterford, delays on M50
Sarah Slater and Vivienne Clarke
Parts of Wexford and Waterford have been hit badly by flooding as Strom Chandra hits Ireland.
In Enniscorthy, the River Slaney has burst its banks in Enniscorthy with the Promenade, Island Road and Shannon Quay closed to traffic.
Sandbags are being deployed across the town.
It is feared that there is worse to come as high tide is expected around 11.30am.
Senator Cathal Byrne is urging the public to follow all advice from gardaí, Wexford County Council and emergency services to avoid the area.
Senator Byrne criticised the lack of a flood relief scheme for the town as it once again hit with flooding.
“It is beyond scandalous that yet again our Town is under flooding.
"I again call for the Enniscorthy Flood Defense Scheme to be delivered for the town without delay,” he said.
The council has said that routes currently closed due to flooding include the N80 Bunclody, Clohamon, Enniscorthy Quays and is urging motorists to use alternative routes which are signposted.
As of 8am, gardaí in Wexford are warning that “due to heavy rain and high tides, there are numerous issues of flooding and surface water on roads throughout the county”.
Waterford City and County Council said that with persistent rainfall and strong winds flood defence barriers have been activated in Waterford city.
The situation in Passage East and Tramore Promenade is being monitored and flood defence barriers will be activated if required.
The following car parks in Dungarvan, Co Waterford are also at risk of flooding and are closed since 7am; Davitt’s Quay, The Pond, The Lookout and Castle Street Carpark.
M50 problems
Sean O’Neill, director of corporate communications at Transport Infrastructure Ireland is urging people to consider working from home today as Storm Chandra has caused significant problems on main routes such as the M50 in Dublin.
At present there is only one lane open on the M50 between the Firhouse and Dundrum junctions following a collision.
“We ask everyone who needs to use that section of the M50 to please, if they can, delay their journey, take some time at home, talk to your employer. It's just not going to be productive time spent. We have crews on site, we're dealing with the incident, but I do not have a time yet on when the issue will be resolved,” he told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland.
“Additionally, in the village of Kilmacanogue, there's significant flooding into and around Junction 8 on the N11, so again we ask people to please delay their journey this morning if they can, because there is significant traffic disruption right now.”
Mr O’Neill said it would take time to resolve these “significant” events. “So we do ask people to please think about their commute this morning and maybe delaying it if they can because you're not going to be going anywhere fast.”
