LAST UPDATE | 16 Aug 2022
SUPPORTS WILL BE made available to people affected by flooding in Wexford, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has confirmed.
Officials from the Department’s Community Welfare Service are engaging with Wexford County Council and other agencies in response to the recent flooding.
As the clean-up operation begins, financial supports will be made available to the householders affected.
Minister Humphreys said: “Officials in my Department are working with local agencies in Wexford to help those people whose homes have been impacted by the severe flooding.
“The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme has been activated and any families and individuals in need of assistance can contact our Community Welfare Service teams to assist with financial support.”
Householders needing to make enquiries about the supports available to them can contact the Department via 0818 60 70 80 or by emailing cwswexford@welfare.ie.
⚠️Householders in New Ross affected by flooding yesterday should contact the National Community Welfare Service phoneline on 0818 60 70 80 or email cwswexford@welfare.ie Please spread the word. ⚠️@newrossstreetf1 @VisitNewRoss @wexlibraries @DLooby1977
— Wexford County Council (@wexfordcoco) August 16, 2022
Businesses affected by the flooding have been urged to contact the Irish Red Cross for advice and support.
⚠️Businesses in New Ross affected by flooding yesterday should contact the Irish Red Cross https://t.co/Xhsnb6qS7C The scheme is to open in the coming days. Spread the word. @newrossstreetf1 @VisitNewRoss @newrossstandard @DLooby1977 @wexlibraries
— Wexford County Council (@wexfordcoco) August 16, 2022
According to Wexford County Council’s estimates, rainfall of between 30mm and 40mm fell over a period of less than one and half hours yesterday, in addition to substantial hail.
Serious flood damage has been identified in 30 homes and 38 businesses in the town of New Ross, as of late last night.
Five units of the County Wexford Fire Service, twelve Civil Defence personnel and twenty-two outdoor crew members from the District Office attended the scene between 5pm and midnight.
Upwards of 12 roads and junctions around the New Ross town area have been severely damaged.
Drivers have been urged to take extra caution today after heavy rain resulted in localised flooding in several areas.
The southeast of the country was worst affected. A number of roads have been closed in counties such as Wexford and Carlow.
⚠️ROAD CLOSED⚠️
— CarlowCountyCouncil (@Carlow_Co_Co) August 15, 2022
R725 closed in Tullow town between Applegreen and Tullow bridge due to flooding.
Please avoid Tullow town until further notice @kclr96fm @Carlowlive1 @CWnationalist @allaboutcarlow @CarlowPPN pic.twitter.com/o1kuYqMjaE
In Kerry, a bogslide during yesterday’s heavy rain has caused a local road to be closed as council crews assess it and clear debris.
The L-6518 local road at Maughanknockane, Ballymacelligott will remain closed from Kielduff Cross to Carrigcannon Cross until further notice while Council crews assess and clear the road following a bogslide during heavy rain on Monday pic.twitter.com/bJbf9TyR0h
— Kerry County Council - Comhairle Contae Chiarraí (@countykerry) August 16, 2022
The latest updates on road closures can be read here.
AA Roadwatch has advised drivers to take extra caution on roads as it’s often unclear how deep flooding or surface water is.
The organisation advises: “If you’re confident that the level of water is low enough for you to pass through without causing damage, you should nonetheless drive with extreme caution.
“It’s best to drive slowly in a low gear, keeping the engine revs high. This prevents water from entering the exhaust, prevents waves from forming and reduces your risk of aquaplaning.
“When you’re out the other side, drive slowly for a stretch, tapping the brake pedal a few times before returning to a normal speed. This will dry the brakes and also prevent aquaplaning.”
Thunderstorms
There are currently no weather warnings in place but a Status Orange thunderstorm weather warning was active until 10pm yesterday for Munster, Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly, Kildare, Wicklow and Dublin.
Animation showing the lightning strikes yesterday, intense lightning with torrential downpours and sadly flash flooding. pic.twitter.com/I3QAb30GOi
— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) August 16, 2022
Met Éireann says today will be mostly dry with some “well scattered light showers“. There will be some sunny spells as well but a good deal of cloud overall, especially in parts of the north and east.
The showers will become more isolated throughout the day with more sunny spells developing. Highest temperatures will range from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius.
Dry for most this morning with just well scattered light showers. ☔️
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) August 16, 2022
Rather cloudy in the north & east with the best of the sunny spells in the west & southwest. 🌤️
Highs of 15 to 20°C in moderate to fresh north to northeast winds. 🍃 pic.twitter.com/vxeZ0YzGBa
Tonight is expected to be largely dry with a mix of cloud and clear spells along with a few passing showers. Lowest temperatures will range from six to 11 degrees.
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