Enniscorthy, One of the worst hit towns
Fermoy, Clean-up operation under way
The Government will announce details next week of an aid package to help victims of the floods. A major clean-up operation is continuing in many areas. The AA says road conditions will be vastly improved tomorrow. Iarnród Éireann says the level of rail services nationwide will also increase significantly and Met Éireann says that the worst of the weather is now over. Some flood waters have begun to recede.
Intercity and suburban train services continued to experience disruptions today. Sea and air transport services also faced cancellations or delays. High-speed ferry services from Dublin Port and Dun Laoghaire are likely to be cancelled again tomorrow morning. Conventional ferries, although delayed, are expected to operate. Heuston station in Dublin has re-opened, and most services to and from the station will operate tomorrow. The Sligo and Rosslare services will be cancelled again, however. DART services are expected to operate normally, as are Drogheda and Dundalk suburban services, and Belfast services. Dublin Bus is operating a full service.
At Blake's Cross in North Dublin the N1 has been reopened to both Northbound and Southbound lanes. In Kildare the N4 between Maynooth and Kilcock is closed, and is likely to remain closed until tomorrow. In Cork the N8 is open again at Fermoy. Today, AA Roadwatch again appealed to motorists not to travel unless they have to.
According to the latest reports floodwaters in Clonmel have receded slightly. There is flooding still on the Old Bridge but Knocklofty Bridge is open. The level of the River Suir is falling slowly. At its height yesterday the Suir was nine feet higher than normal. In Enniscorthy, County Wexford, waters are also receding. The town will reopen from all sides at 11pm this evening. The N11 in Enniscorthy is open again to traffic both ways. Hundreds of residents in areas including Clonmel, Enniscorthy and Arklow in County Wicklow spent the night with relatives after being evacuated from their homes because of rising waters. In Kilkenny the level of the River Nore has dropped from its high point yesterday.
The Government has approved a humanitarian aid package for those who suffered as a result of the recent floods. Speaking in the Dáil, Minister of State Bobby Molloy said that an exact figure for the aid package has not been decided on and that local authorities around the country will be consulted about the damage caused.
The East Coast Area Health Board says it is involved in ongoing work to bring relief to residents in the Board region, particularly Arklow, following the recent heavy flooding there. At this stage, all persons at risk in the Wicklow area have been contacted and the Public Health Nurses and GPs will continue to help to ensure their well being and safety. The East Coast Area Health Board said it acknowledges the enormous help and support provided by the communities in Wicklow to neighbours who required assistance. "The practical assistance that such communities have given to our staff enabled them to carry out their important duties and reflects the spirit of solidarity and neighbourliness of the area", said the Board.
The Minister for Public Enterprise has said that a report into flooding difficulties in North Kildare yesterday would shortly be available following serious disruption to train services over the past 48 hours. Mary O'Rourke said that prior to this week's flooding at Hazelhatch station, which effectively paralysed a major section of Iarnród Éireann's rail network, both the company and the Office of Public Works had investigated ongoing difficulties in the location. That study would be available in a matter of weeks, the Minister said. Speaking following a visit to Hazelhatch station today, the Minister said that every effort would be made to prevent a similar occurrence in the future.
Meanwhile, the Blood Transfusion Service has issued an urgent appeal for donors. Because of the bad weather, the BTS mobile units have been unable to travel resulting in a shortage of blood which is putting surgical operations at risk. Donors are asked to attend Pelican House, Mespil Road in Dublin which will remain open until 8.15pm tonight and tomorrow night.
