Cork County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team convened via teleconference at 9:30am this morning in relation to the current weather event (Storm Francis), following earlier meetings of the Council’s Crisis Management Team at 4:00am and again at 5:15am.
Council response crews and contractors remain on standby today, as a Yellow Wind Warning is in place for Cork until 19:00. Very windy or stormy conditions are expected today as Storm Francis crosses Ireland. Southwest winds veering westerly, reaching mean speeds of 55 to 65km/h, will bring widespread severe gusts of 90 to 110km/h (and possibly higher in exposed areas). A Status Yellow Gale Warning is also in place, with cyclonic variable gale or strong gale force winds today on all Irish coastal waters and on the Irish Sea.
Cork County Council crews continue with the significant clean up operation underway following flooding in Bantry, Bandon and at a number of additional locations overnight. Several roads have been damaged in Bantry as a result of last nights intense rainfall and are currently closed pending assessment.
A number of roads have been impacted by flooding, Cork County Council asks all road users to exercise extreme caution while crews continue to clear the routes affected.
The Skibbereen to Dunmanway Road is also closed at the machinery yard.
Flooding has been cleared from the N22 at Macroom and Ballyvourney. A river has burst it’s banks at Halfway House, Kilnamartyra
Cork County Council is currently monitoring the River Blackwater, as well as Park Road in Mallow. Precautionary flood barriers remain in place in Mallow and Fermoy.
A landslide has been reported on the Crossbarry Begleys Forge road, Council crews are en route to investigate.
The Ballyduff to Fermoy road at the Kilworth Junction is currently closed, but is expected to reopen later today.
Cork County Council Fire Crews have responded to a number of calls overnight in relation to flooding, including brigades from Bantry, Skibbereen, Bandon, Youghal, Dunmanway and Kinsale.
Due to high winds, Dursey Cable Car will remain closed today and will return to operation only when wind speeds permit. Updates will be available on @CorkCoCo social media.
The Council’s emergency phone line received over 39 calls overnight, largely in relation to reports of road flooding.
Road users are asked to be aware of spot flooding, debris and fallen trees on many roads. Following recent weather events, trees have been weakened and remain susceptible to further damage. Motorists are advised to drive with caution during heavy rain, not to drive through flood waters and be conscious of cyclists and pedestrians. Cork County Council asks all road users to be aware of the danger posed by high winds.
Members of the public are advised to stay high, stay dry and stay away from the coast, rivers and lakes. With strong gusts and high waves predicted, people are urged to refrain from visiting coastal areas.
Issues such as fallen trees, flooding and road damage should be reported to the Council’s Emergency number (021) 4800048.
The strong winds may give rise to localised power outages. In the event of a disruption to power supply, please contact ESB Networks at 1850 372999. Fallen or grounded wires should be avoided and the public are advised to call ESB in assisting with the identification of fallen wires.
In the event of a disruption to water supply, please contact Irish Water at 1850 278278.
In the event of an emergency call 999 or 112 and request the Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Gardaí or Irish Coastguard as appropriate. DO NOT assume others will do this.
Cork County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team and Crisis Management Team will reconvene again this afternoon and will continue to monitor this situation. Weather updates are available at www.met.ie. Cork County Council will provide updates on www.corkcoco.ie and on the Council’s social media channels @Corkcoco.
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