Clean-up continues as A&E reopens after flooding
Safety checks on high-voltage X-ray equipment were continuing yesterday evening as hospital management sought to identify how so much water came through to the ground floor, flooding a number of departments.
“It was mainly just water damage and while steps are being taken to remedy it, it seems like in most businesses in this area of the city, the drainage system was just overloaded,” Angie O’Brien of the Southern Health Board said. Clean-up teams and humidifiers were employed overnight to dry out the flooded area, as ambulances and emergency admissions were transferred to other city hospitals.
The Bishopstown/Wilton area where the hospital is located was worst affected by Wednesday’s floods, with drains and manholes bursting open due to the pressure of torrential rains.
The seven-floor Bishopstown Bar remains closed with insurance assessors estimating damage in excess of €1.5 million to the three lowest levels.
Owner of the premises Mark Kelleher said offices and large amounts of stock were destroyed, along with imported pine floors.
“We have custom-made sump pumps which pumped out the water, but there was nowhere for it to go because the drains were full,” he said. “It was frightening stuff, like a film scene, but we’re working hard to get the bar open soon.”
While 20mm of rain also fell in Dublin on Wednesday, Met Éireann said the showers were less intense and over a longer period of time. “In Cork there was a downpour for 20 minutes, which eased off and while the flooding was more intense it was short-lived,” forecaster Sarah O’Reilly said.
While today and Saturday are expected to be mostly fine, further flood warnings have been issued for the South West on Sunday.
