Videos show extent of the flooding inflicted by Storm Desmond; Defence Forces called in
Met Eireann has issued an updated Red Weather Alert for Connacht, Donegal Clare and Kerry, as Storm Desmond crosses the country.
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Key points:
* 700 households without power
* The Defence Forces called in to help with flood defences
* Roads closed and flooded in Cork, Kerry, Donegal, Galway and Clare
* Sporting fixtures, including rugby and GAA, called off
* Up to 50 flights were cancelled at Dublin Airport today
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: The Defence Forces have been called in to help combat the affects of Storm Desmond tonight.
Red weather alerts remain in place with 60 millimetres predicted to fall in some parts - after up to 100 millimetres fell overnight in the north west.
Tonight members of the army are being sent to Cork and Kerry to help with flood defences and the transport of medical staff.
Officers will also be deployed to Athlone to assist in the transport of nurses in the coming hours.
Also, power has been restored to 12,000 properties across the country today.
Power lines where knocked in several locations and ESB crews have been out since first light in an attempt to restore supply.
Approximately 700 premises remain without electricity tonight.
The ESB is urging members of the public who come across fallen power lines to report the incident on 1850 372 999.
: Cork County Council have issued a Red Alert flood alert for Bandon. The Bandon River FEWS (flood early warning system) indicated there was a high risk of serious flooding in the town of Bandon this evening.
Property owners were being notified by Cork County Council staff and sand bags are being distributed.
Skibbereen is also on high alert for flooding around this time and sand bags are being distributed. Council crews are also on standby to lift manhole covers to prevent property being flooded.
Localised flooding has occurred up river near Inchigeela and east of Dunmanway with sections of the R584, R585, R586 and R587 impassable.
There was also flooding of roads at Crookstown and Lissarda
Cork County Council emergency crews are working at the locations. Pumping equipment and water tankers are being used to lower the level of flooding and protect houses at Chapel Street, Dunmanway.
@irishexaminer Army drafted in 2 #ballyboffey #donegal cant fill sandbags fast enough with flood waters rising pic.twitter.com/QlK572r5uW
— Jimmy Stafford (@JimmystaffordDJ) December 5, 2015
: Gardaí are advising motorists to avoid the N59 Belmullet to Ballina Road through Crossmolina in Co Mayo.
They say it is completely impassable due to the River Deel bursting its banks.
Severe flooding is reported in the area.
: The ESB says 1,700 properties remain without power this evening.
The electricity provider says its crews will continue to work to restore supply this evening for as long as it is safe to do so.
The company is urging members of the public who come across fallen power lines to at report the incident on 1850 372 999.
The main road between Ardara and Killybegs as #StormDesmond continues to bear its teeth in #Donegal #WildAtlanticWay pic.twitter.com/RRp5Er0iiY
— Harry Walsh (@HarryWalsh65) December 5, 2015
It says cables that have fallen in storms are highly dangerous and that it is best to avoid coming into contact with them.
The Lee Fields are nearly completely covered in water #StormDesmond #Cork pic.twitter.com/CH7QyKKSLs
— Kevin O'Brien (@kevob777) December 5, 2015
: Clare County Council has established an Emergency Call Centre in response to the ongoing weather conditions and flooding in the county.
The emergency number - 1890 252 943 - has been established for members of the public to report blocked roads, fallen trees and flooding.
The number will be operational from 5.30pm this evening.
Athleague: https://t.co/ranJPenytg via @YouTube
— Denis Naughten (@DenisNaughten) December 5, 2015
: Clare County Council is reporting extensive flooding across Clare with numerous roads throughout the county now closed to traffic.
The following are among the roads which have been either closed to traffic or are likely to be closed due to flooding:
: N85 north of Inagh (diversions via Inagh to Miltown), Belharbour, Tubber-Crusheen, Kilmihil-Cahermurphy (at Collins Bridge), Munnia (New Quay), Ballyvaughan-Corkscrew Hill, Caherfenick (Doonbeg), Mount Rivers (Doonbeg), Kinlea (R485), Kilrush-Cooraclare, Kilmihil-Knockalough, Cappagh.
: Beechpark-Inch Bridge, Kilmaley-Connolly, Inchmore-Woodstock, Toonagh, Ballyogan (Quin).
: Caher-Flagmount, Bridgetown-Broadford, O'Brien's Bridge-Killaloe, Scariff-Feakle, Scariff-Portumna on Galway side of the border, Kilmurry village, Cloonty and Woodpark (Mountshannon).
The flood moving closer to #Tralee at Hunters Wood on the Castlemaine road #StormDesmond pic.twitter.com/CNH6ki1GJ1
— Gaothmhor (@gaothmhor) December 5, 2015
Tom Tiernan, Senior Engineer, Clare County Council said: "Many of the county's roads have been impacted by incessant rainfall which has led to the overflowing of a number of tributaries, streams and rivers. We are advising members of the public to avoid all travel other than when necessary while Met Éireann's Red Alert remains in place."
"Motorists are likely to encounter flooded roads that Council crews have not yet reached or have not been reported as flooded. Motorists are advised to not attempt to drive through flooded roads. The flooding situation on the county's road network is unlikely to improve until overnight and during Sunday. Further updates will be issued where necessary," added Mr. Tiernan.
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Met Eireann are forecasting rainfall of 40 to 60 milimetres in addition to severe rainfall over the past 24 hours.
The storm's left more than 3,500 households without power, and motorists are being urged to take extreme care on the roads.
Bit of crack en root with #StormDesmond pic.twitter.com/cdAETha0i3
— Mícheál Johnny (@MOMeachair) December 5, 2015
Thousands have been affected by power cuts due to the bad weather - ESB Networks have said the worst affected areas are Tuam, Letterkenny, Killybegs, Belmullet, Galway, Athlone and Mitchelstown.
ESB Networks are also warning that more properties could be affected by power cuts as the day goes on, with strong winds forecast to continue.
River Lee has breached its banks in Cork #StormDesmond #cork pic.twitter.com/zCAqLfHXYZ
— Alan Barry (@Alanpbarry) December 5, 2015
Drivers are also warned to be extra vigilant on the roads today as many routes have been affected by flooding and excess surface water.
Brown Thomas Cork has just lost its front to #Desmond @breakingnewsie pic.twitter.com/HdlqaRgyQr
— Richard Jacob (@IdahoNua) December 5, 2015
Nicole Gurnan from AA roadwatch has the details of some roads that are closed in the west of the country: “In particular in Kerry the N22 Killarney to Cork road is closed between Glenflesk and Macroom due to flooding, so you will have to use an alternative route.
“ If you are in Galway this morning the N17 Tuam road is down to one lane through Claregalway due to flooding.
“And if you are in Donegal the gardaí tell us the N56 Letterkenny to Dunfanaghy road is impassable between Kilmacrenan and Creeslough."
Sporting fixtures have also been affected by the adverse weather conditions with many matches cancelled here and in the UK.
