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Cork experienced widespread flooding yesterday, causing road closures and hazardous conditions following the issuance of a Status Orange weather warning, which remained in effect until last night. The heavy rain impacted many areas across the county, leading to major disruptions as emergency services and Cork County Council worked to manage the flooding.

Widespread Flooding and Road Closures

Several key roads were rendered impassable as floodwaters rose rapidly. Among the most affected areas were:

• Killavullen Bridge, Longfields Bridge, and Mallow near Cork Racecourse were closed due to rising river levels.
• The Bantry Line (R585) was impassable after the river burst its banks, while the R587 at Ardcahan Bridge was also closed.
• Monahan Road and Centre Park Road were both impassable in parts due to flooding.
• The N71 Main Street in Innishannon and several roads around Bantry town also reported heavy flooding.

Treacherous Conditions for Motorists

Motorists across Cork faced dangerous driving conditions, with reports of surface water and spot flooding on major roads, including:

• The N27 South City Link Road, where Gardaí urged drivers to slow down and take extreme care.
• Heavy surface water on the N40 South Ring Road between Mahon and Bloomfield, and flooding at the Kinsale Road Roundabout.
• Spot flooding was also reported on Douglas Street, resulting in water entering homes and businesses.

A particularly alarming incident occurred in Wilton, where a vehicle became stuck in floodwaters, trapping the occupant inside. Emergency services responded quickly to rescue the individual.

Community and Emergency Responses

Cork Safety Alerts provided continuous updates throughout the day, informing the public about road closures and flooding incidents. Emergency services worked tirelessly to respond to various incidents, and Cork City & County Council crews remained active on the ground, monitoring and responding to evolving conditions. The council’s Crisis Management Team met multiple times to assess the situation and coordinate responses.

Government Support for Flood-Affected Areas

In Bantry, one of the hardest-hit areas, the government has expressed its readiness to support local businesses impacted by the flooding. Minister Peter Burke confirmed plans to reopen the Emergency Business Flooding Scheme if needed. A statement from An Taoiseach, Simon Harris on X (formerly Twitter) read:

“Cork floods are a concern for households and businesses. Thanks to all agencies & their staff who are working on the response & will continue to provide support in the coming days. I am being kept updated on the situation. We will ensure those impacted are supported”

As the Status Orange weather warning expired, Cork residents are left dealing with the aftermath of significant flooding, with recovery efforts already underway.