Met and Éireann predict more localized flooding and hazardous driving conditions.
Middleton, a town in County Cork, has seen repeated flooding, and residents have been alerted to the possibility of more as clean-up efforts following the initial disaster. floods caused by Storm Babet.
The Owenacurra River’s levels are steadily rising due to the heavy rain that fell overnight, according to a warning issued by Cork County Council on Friday morning. This puts Midleton at “high risk of further flooding.”.
It comes amid fresh weather warnings from . Grew up in Ireland. with Dublin and Wicklow under a status orange rain warning.
The warning, which is in effect until 8am on Saturday, calls for periods of heavy rain, localized flooding, hazardous driving conditions, and poor visibility.
For three additional counties—Louth, Meath, and Kerry—a yellow rain warning is in effect until 9 p.m. on Friday.
By 9 a.m. on Saturday, the UK Met Office has also issued a yellow rain warning for Northern Ireland.
Since many homes in the Woodland housing estate have already been evacuated, Niall Healy, director of services for roads for Cork County council, advised residents in particular to be on high alert.
He said to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, “We’re asking people to just literally pay attention this morning—that is a high risk area.”.
He said that Main Street in Midleton was still being closely watched.
We were keeping an eye on the combined sewer surcharging that occurred in the town at various points during the night, but we weren’t concerned about it. Right now, the area that worries us the most is the Woodlands Estate, the speaker stated.
He stated, “We had a crew on standby overnight that were checking the flood risk areas.”.
Road infrastructure throughout the county has suffered severe damage, according to Mr. Healy.
Businesses damaged by flooding during Storm Babet will get financial support starting next week, according to Minister of Finance Michael McGrath. He said there would be money available ranging from €5,000 to €20,000, and possibly even more if needed.
On his visit to Midleton on Thursday, the TD for Cork South-Central expressed his dismay and outrage at the “anguish” and hostility of the town’s companies.
“The primary idea that we aimed to communicate yesterday is that, although it will be a challenging road for many, we will be there to assist individuals and companies as they attempt to rebuild their lives,” he stated.
The Minister advised the industry to act “quickly and fairly” in cases where individuals did have insurance coverage.
About the new flood-defence plan for Midleton, Mr. McGrath stated that a planning application for a comprehensive plan for the town would be submitted in the “first quarter” of the following year. But no timeframe was promised. According to him, the main reasons for delays in these kinds of plans were “statutory processes, objections, and then court challenges.”.
extensive harm. across Co Cork in the aftermath of Storm Babet is expected to cost millions of euro to repair, prompting the . the creation of a government emergency fund. that might end up costing more than the initial €10 million.
Many homes and businesses that, according to insurance brokers, are unable to obtain coverage because of prior flooding, will benefit from a large portion of that relief money.
One estimate states that some shop owners may have to pay up to €500,000 for repairs.
The fact that Christmas stock may have been destroyed by small and medium-sized businesses during the unusual weather event that surprised many on Wednesday would only exacerbate the situation.
Owner of Lollipop Kids, a shoe store in Midleton, Eleanor Dunlea, said she was in the thick of a cleanup project at her store this morning instead of taking her scheduled vacation to Lanzarote.
“I just want to start my business.”. “I love my job, I love my business, and I love seeing people smile,” the woman uttered.
Dr. Mike Thompson, a general practitioner in Midleton, stated that businesses in the east Cork town require a “significant” financial infusion.
He stated on RTÉ Radio’s Today with Claire Byrne show that the town’s roads are “just rivers of mud.”. He claimed that there was genuine concern that one of the rivers would overflow.
“Having just begun the cleanup process yesterday, we’re hoping we don’t get a second wave of this,” he stated.
According to Dr. Thompson, three of Midleton’s six medical practices were closed. The town had come together on Thursday, but on Friday, “the harsh reality and the financial worries that we’re going to face is becoming apparent.”.
He stated, “I definitely believe that many businesses won’t recover from this unless we receive major support from the central government.”.
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