Houses, streets, and some coastal areas of Kerry were flooded for the first time in almost a half century following a combination of high tides, heavy rain and 130kph gales on Thursday night and early yesterday.

A woman in Kerry last night was rescued from her car when it became submerged in water.

A FREAK WAVE seriously damaged a boathouse used by Ballybunion Sea and Cliff Rescue Service and dampened the group’s 21st birthday celebrations.

LIVES could be lost in popular Kerry seaside areas because emergency services are having problems in getting access to beaches, it was warned yesterday.