Businesses and homeowners assess damage after torrential rain causes flooding in Tralee
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Tralee was returning to normal on Sunday after a Saturday afternoon cloudburst which saw huge volumes of water overwhelm drains and gutters and shoppers run for shelter.
The Kerry town was hit by a deluge of rain on Saturday afternoon, stunning local businesses and homeowners as floodwaters rapidly caused the town to shut down.
Nationwide, thousands remain without power after an orange level thunderstorm hit the west and midwest. The ESB expects power to be restored in most cases by this afternoon.
A status yellow thunderstorm and rain warning is also in place for 21 counties, including all of Munster and Connacht as well as Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan, Kilkenny, Laois, Kildare, Meath, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath.
The warning came into effect at 10am and will run until 10pm tonight.
In Tralee, University Hospital Kerry (UHK) remains closed to visitors today after the flash flooding which affected access roads, entrance areas, and a number of departments.
The town’s main Dunnes Stores at North Circular Store is also closed today. It suffered roof damage during the torrential rain which lasted for around 45 minutes.
The outgoing mayor of Tralee Cllr Mikey Sheehy (FF) said businesses were this morning assessing the damage.
"The volume of water that fell was incredible," he said.
"It lasted for around 45 minutes and it took around the same time for the waters to subside.
"Gullies and gutters could not deal with the volumes and buildings with flat roofs were badly affected.
"Most businesses, apart from those worst affected, would reopen on Monday, Mr Sheehy expected.
"Away from the town centre, the Omniplex cinema on the outskirts of Tralee on the Dan Spring Road was badly affected and remains closed."
The incoming mayor of Tralee, Cllr Johnny Wall (FF) said the floods were almost foot deep in areas of the town centre - and a bucket of water would have been collected in just seconds.
"I never saw rain like it," Mr Wall said.
With no rain for up to five weeks in Tralee, sediment had hardened in the sewer and drainage pipes and wastewater system and the water had nowhere to go.
Were the cloudburst to occur today, the system would be free to deal with it as the sediment had been washed away.
Six pipe bands from all over the country were lining up to go on stage at the town’s Féile na mBláth festival for a competition when the heavens opened. With just marquees in the park, for shelter, the event was cancelled.
On Banna Beach, there was lightning and the coast guard in Valentia was alerted to organise assistance for two lifeguards. The guards were clearing the beach of bathers because of the lightning threat and were at the water’s edge when it struck alongside them, it is understood.
Roger Sweeney, Deputy CEO of Water Safety Ireland, said that the lifeguards are fine but are being monitored in University Hospital, Kerry (UHK).
“Thankfully both Lifeguards are fine, with no entry or exit wounds,” he said.
“The lightning strike happened on Banna beach in Kerry shortly before 4pm. The Lifeguards had observed flashes of lightning on the horizon and were in the process of clearing the water of people when a strike occurred on the beach, close to both Lifeguards.
“They did not suffer any wounds and were taken by ambulance to hospital where they are being monitored.
“The beach was closed and Banna Rescue, a local voluntary search and rescue unit which is one of the Community Rescue Boats of Ireland did a great job in continuing to clear the water and sand of visitors.
“All lifeguarded beaches in North Kerry were closed as a precaution.”
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Low-lying Tralee, which is at the confluence of a number of rivers on their way to the bay, is accustomed to flooding but historically this relates to tidal and winter floods.
Saturday’s event which saw water flow into coffee and clothes shops was related to a cloud burst and prolonged heavy rain which lasted for more than 30 minutes. Main streets like Denny Street and Castle Street experienced a river of water.
A spokesman for Kerry County Council said the rain had overwhelmed the drainage system. It was very localised. Nearby towns like Castleisland had little or no rain.
Fire and roads crews rushed to the worst affected.
UHK said the hospital remained closed on Sunday to all but compassionate visits and emergency cases.