Cork County Council urges 'extreme caution' as more heavy rain brings further flood risks
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Cork County Council have warned the public to exercise "extreme caution" in the aftermath of unprecedented flooding across the county.
More than a months' worth of rain fell in the space of 24 hours over Tuesday and Wednesday, with businesses and homes destroyed by Storm Babet. The danger is not finished yet, with a status yellow weather warning in place for Thursday night from 11pm until 9am on Friday morning.
The councils' severe weather assessment team met on Thursday morning to assess the situation and they are working closely with emergency services and local communities to address immediate concerns, including flooding, road closures, and infrastructure damage.
A spokesperson said: "Efforts are concentrated on restoring essential services, securing affected areas, and supporting residents and businesses who have been impacted by the severe weather."
Midleton, which was one of the towns worst affected by flooding, has required a multi-agency response.
The council said that around 150 members were involved, with representatives from Roads Operations, Housing Operations, Municipal District Operations, Fire Service, An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, Civil Defence, HSE and Coast Guard all working together on-site from the co-ordination centre in Midleton Fire Station.
The group were also aided by numerous other NGOs such as the Irish Red Cross and multiple volunteers. Members of the public are asked to continue to avoid Main Street in Midleton to allow for clean-up operations, while Midleton Library remains closed until further notice.
The council has responded to 57 calls for assistance between 5pm on Wednesday and 9am on Thursday.
It is offering free disposal of flood-damaged goods at all Civic Amenity Sites until Thursday, October 26, but they note that Raffeen Civic Amenity Site is currently closed due to flooding. Skips will be made available in the worst-affected areas.
The council added that numerous parts of the county's road network have been "severely affected"—the N25 at Castlemartyr is still "impassable".
The spokesperson continued: "Heavy bursts of rain or showers overnight and Friday morning, coupled with waterlogged soils and high river levels, may lead to further localised flooding and dangerous travelling conditions.
"Please avoid driving through flowing or standing water, exercise extreme caution and be especially conscious of vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians. Council crews and contractors continue to be active in the aftermath of this event and are busy assisting road users, homes and businesses and are operating in challenging conditions.
"With high river levels, members of the public are advised to stay high, stay dry and away from the coast, rivers and lakes."
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