Peak tide passes in Midleton without further floods; Orange warning for Wicklow, Dublin

In an update on Friday evening, the Council said staff will remain "on-site at the Midleton Coordination Centre throughout the weekend, in advance of forecasted weather conditions."

It said it is continuing to support businesses and residents who have been impacted and is also offering free disposal of flood-damaged goods at all our Civic Amenity Sites until Thursday 26th October.

A number of road closures remain in operation throughout the weekend. The N72 Park Road in Mallow Town is now closed due to flooding. 

Motorists are being advised to exercise caution and pay particular attention to pedestrians and cyclists. 

The Council said it will also continue to inspect and undertake emergency repair works on the roads and bridges most severely impacted across the region, while also commencing the considerable clean-up programme that lies ahead.

Earlier, Cork County Council had warned residents of the Woodlands estate to be on "high alert" for more flooding, amid fears the Owenacurra River would burst its banks during high tide at 9.30am. Thankfully, peak tide passed without worsening the situation on the ground.

Midleton Fire Brigade station officer Mark Sinclair said though the river had burst its bank in places, it was not as bad as it was on Wednesday.

Speaking on 96FM, he urged people not to walk in the flood water as manholes have been lifted.

'Significant damage' done to roads across the county

Cork County Council director of services for roads and transportation Niall Healy said that this week's floods had done "significant damage" to road infrastructure "right across the county".

"There's been some some significant damage in the way of road subsidence, roads have collapsed, and in some cases, roads have been washed away by the force of the water."

He told RTÉ radio's Morning Ireland that the council had not yet been able to identify all of the locations that would have been impacted by the floods.

"If there are issues, we'd appeal to motorists and local residents to make us aware of such damage so that we can carry out inspections."

Mr Healy also said the council was planning to "put together a funding request to Government to assist in terms of carrying out emergency repairs and road reconstruction" in certain areas.

He also said that the condition of the county's bridges will also have to be inspected, when the water level has fallen back to a level to allow for this.

In an update on Friday afternoon, Cork City Council has said that properties had been flooded in several other areas of the county including Cobh, Mogeely, Ballinahassig and Glounthaune.

Road flooding has also been reported in:

• Ballyspillane and along the R630;
• Leamlara to Carrigtwohill; 
• Ardskeagh;
• Castlelyons; 
• Conna Village, 
• Newberry to Mallow;
• Buffers Cross;
• Liscarroll to Buttevant;
• Liscarroll to Bog Cross;
• Ballyclogh;
• Kilcoolishal Estate;
• Water Rock;
• Along the Shournagh Line at Foxes Bridge;
• The Glen Road;
• Passage West;
• Along the Ballea Road;
• and on Main Street in Carrigaline.

A Council spokesperson said that many roads across the county continue to be impacted by floodwaters, and any additional closures will be noted on its website.

Finally, the Council urged motorists to "exercise extreme caution" as driving conditions may still be hazardous in many areas with surface flooding possible.

Motorists have also been advised to avoid driving through flowing or standing water, to exercise caution during heavy rain, and to be especially conscious of vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.

"The Council will continue to inspect and undertake emergency repair works on the roads most severely impacted across the region, while also commencing the considerable clean-up programme that lies ahead," the spokesperson said.

Government Support

Finance Minister Michael McGrath said Government funds to support people and businesses attempting to get back on their feet in the wake of the flooding will “begin to flow from next week”. 

Mr McGrath, who visited Midleton and other badly-hit areas of the county on Thursday, said it was going to be a “difficult journey” for many of those affected but that the Government “will be there” to support people.

He told  Morning Ireland it was the task of his Government colleagues to support households hit by the floods and to “ensure that all of these businesses that were viable before two days ago can continue to trade into the future”. 

In terms of specific supports, Mr McGrath said one of the first ports of call would be the Government’s Humanitarian Support Scheme which assists businesses, volunteer groups and community organisations who are impacted by flood events and which is administered by the Red Cross.

He said the non-statutory scheme would be “stood up” following a Cabinet meeting next week, and would be, amended, improved and up and running thereafter.

Mr McGrath said the scheme provided for an initial €5,000, followed by additional supports of up to €20,000 following consideration of the scale of the damage done. However, he admitted that, given what he and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar witnessed in East Cork on Thursday, that there would be a need “to go further”. 

“We have to be conscious of the need that's there, and do all that we possibly can to support the businesses,” he said.

“For many, I think the €20,000 will go a long way, but for others, it won't be enough and we acknowledge that.” 

He said that Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney would be bringing a proposal to Cabinet next week which would involve “an increased level of support under that scheme”.

Speaking about Midleton specifically, Mr McGrath said the impact on the town was of a scale “we haven’t seen in recent times, and so the response will have to be of a different nature and a different magnitude as well”.

On the topic of a flood relief scheme for Midleton, Mr McGrath said that Minister of State with responsibility for Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan, had confirmed a “comprehensive” plan for the town would be lodged in quarter one of 2024.

New weather warnings 

Elsewhere, Met Éireann has issued two rain warnings and said that flooding likely to be one of the impacts.

A status orange rain warning has been issued for Dublin and Wicklow, which is in place until 8am on Saturday.

The forecaster said that spells of heavy rain will hit those areas with impacts including flooding, dangerous driving conditions and poor visibility.

A status yellow rain warning is also in place for Louth and Meath and Wicklow until 12 am on Saturday, with Met Éireann warning of "heavy rain or showers with chance of thunder".

Meanwhile, the Government has said it is willing to open up a fund for those businesses and sports clubs affected by flooding in East Cork and Waterford who could not get insurance.

Mr Varadkar visited Midleton on Thursday where he was a told by angry locals that an initial €10m package for homes and businesses affected by flooding in the area will "not nearly be enough".

A separate yellow rain warning, for Kerry, Dublin, Louth, Meath and Wicklow will come into effect at 9am. It will remain in place until 9pm on Friday.