Flooding reported in properties in Cork as councils remain on alert

Update: Cork County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team convened again this morning to assess the impact of significant amounts of rainfall over the past two days.

In a statement this morning, the county council said that three properties in Fermoy were impacted by flooding.

Flood barriers were fully erected in Fermoy and Mallow overnight. 

Fermoy river levels peaked at approximately 5am and were approximately 22cm below their highest recorded level of 4.48m in December 2015. 

UPDATE
Cork County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team convened again this morning to assess the impact of significant amounts of rainfall over the past 2 days.
While levels appear to be receding, the Council remains on alert.https://t.co/qsp0hIiITg pic.twitter.com/uMgD0dAJzP

— Cork County Council (@Corkcoco) February 24, 2021

Bridge Street in Fermoy is currently closed and will reopen as soon as river levels recede further. 

"While there were no incidents in Mallow, three properties were impacted in Fermoy," Cork County Council stated.

Rain gauges in the catchment upstream of Mallow recorded almost 100mm or four inches of rain in the last 24 hours. 

The River Blackwater peaked at approximately 10pm reaching approximately 15cm below its highest recorded level during the December 2015 flooding. 

Bridge Street in Mallow has now reopened while Park Road remains closed.

"Locations across Cork County including Bandon, Clonakilty, and Skibbereen were successfully defended over the last 24 hours. 

"Council crews were on standby throughout and had set up equipment in numerous other known problems locations such as Bantry and Rosscarbery. 

"In Dunmanway the use of up to six pumps and tractors with pumping equipment prevented properties from the impact of flood waters," Cork County Council stated.

"While levels appear to be receding, the council remains on alert," the council continued.

Earlier: Whilst the weather warnings for Cork have expired, Cork City Council has said the River Lee may take "a number of days or longer to fully revert to a non-flood state" following the heavy rainfall over the past two days.

In a statement issued this morning, the council has warned that "there is still a lot of water in the catchment that fell yesterday and overnight".

"This water will take a number of days to wash through the river systems.

⚠️The @MetEireann Weather Warnings for Cork have expired

➡️Some of the larger rivers will continue to experience very high levels for a number of hours to come

➡️Please respect road closures (incl Cloghroe, Lee, Inniscarra & Carrigrohane Rd)

ℹ https://t.co/UMhDr5wfRR pic.twitter.com/SYA5lNS8JJ

— Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) February 24, 2021

"Cork City Council can confirm that many of the smaller rivers are beginning to recede and things at these locations look like they will improve throughout the day.

"However some of the larger rivers, including the Lee, Shournagh and Bride will continue to experience very high river levels for a number of hours to come.

"The River Lee in particular will be very slow to recede, and may in fact take a number of days or longer to fully revert to a non-flood state," the council said.

As such it is expected that flooding and road closures to the west of the city including the Cloghroe Road, Lee Road, Inniscarra Road and possibly the Carrigrohane Road will continue to remain closed today and into tomorrow.

The council said flood levels will continue to be monitored and regular updates will be issued.

In the county, there are also a number of roads that are imable due to flooding and fallen trees.

These include the R-614-143 which is imable due to a fallen tree; the R-666-27, imable due to flooding and the R-666-44, also imable due to flooding.

The Fermoy Bridge (N72) is also closed, with barriers erected across road.

UPDATE N72/R579 Ballymacquirke junction now able in all directions https://t.co/X8BcIbVjer

— Cork County Council (@Corkcoco) February 24, 2021

Cork County Council this morning has advised that the N72/R579 Ballymacquirke junction is now able in all directions.

Cyclists, pedestrians and motorists are again advised not to enter flooded areas and to take all necessary precautions when out and about.