Business people in Cork city centre are facing a multi-million euro bill for damage, after severe flooding submerged parts of the city centre under several feet of water and trapped motorists.
Over an inch of rain fell in a 12-hour period up to 5.30 p.m. Combined with high tides and easterly winds, this resulted in up to three feet of flooding in much of the city centre - particularly streets flanking both the north and south channels of the Lee.
The Fire Brigade received dozens of calls from stranded motorists around the city, especially on the Lower Glanmire Road where several cars started floating as the high tides spilled over the quay walls. Motorists around Morrison's Island and Clontarf St were also badly affected.
Among the areas under as much as three feet of water were the newly refurbished Patrick Street, Cornmarket Street (where the Bridewell Garda Station was cut off), South Mall, South Terrace, Father Matthew Street, Union Quay, and Oliver Plunkett Street.
Mr James O'Sullivan of the Cork Business Association said that although Met Éireann and Cork City Council had given good warning, the floods were so severe in the city centre that the damage bill for business people could run into several million euro.
Floodwaters in Cork city centre began to recede from about 8.30pm though most city centre shopkeepers and business people were bracing themselves for a repeat when another high tide was due at 5.30 this morning.
Gardaí in Carrigaline were reporting up to a foot-and-a-half of water in the main street, while the Crosshaven Road was impassable with flood waters two-feet deep. Several motorists had to be rescued by the fire brigade after getting trapped in their cars.
Coastal towns in Cork also took a battering with the sea flowing onto Seafield in Bantry and Catherine Street in Youghal. Several streets and roads in Clonakilty were also flooded, as was the centre of Kinsale. Cobh and Great Island were cut off for over an hour due to flooding on Belvelly Bridge - both train and cross-river ferry services were cancelled.
In Dungarvan in Co Waterford, heavy rains and high seas resulted in flooding on Davitt's Quay where pubs and other premises were covered with almost two feet of water.
The road to Clonea was closed due to over three feet of water.
Gardaí in Waterford city were last night reporting severe flooding in the city centre with a high tide and heavy rain causing the River Suir to flood the quays and many of the surrounding streets while other areas such as Poleberry and the Waterside were also flooded.
The flooding which also hit William Street, Railway Square and Park Road resulted in many motorists being trapped in their cars and having to be rescued by the emergency services.
