Fire brigade on alert as homes hit by flooding

FLASH flooding caused tens of thousands of euro worth of damage to households on Dublin’s southside yesterday.

Parts of Stillorgan were badly hit following torrential rain that fell during the morning. The flooding appeared to have been caused by blocked drains and a stream that burst its banks because of the sheer volume of water.

Around two feet of water swept through the properties of residents in Orphen Green, demolishing garden walls and smashing gates.

In Avoca Park, residents took photographs of water gushing like a fountain from manholes in the middle of the road. Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Co Council said it has plans to improve drainage in the area that would be presented for approval to council members in September.

The council said the heavy localised rain caused flash flooding that resulted in the Maretimo stream overflowing its banks at a number of points.

A number of premises from Sandyford/Leopardstown to Carysfort in Blackrock were flooded.

A crew of 10 council workers sent out to deal with the situation had a mobile pump capable of pumping large volumes of water from affected properties and a number of sandbags.

The council’s director of service Frank Austin said the civil defence and fire brigade were also notified.

Mr Austin said council workers also arranged to provide sandbags to residents whose homes were in danger and was assisting those whose homes were affected.

Mr Austin said crews would continue to be on standby to offer whatever assistance was required.

Widespread floods were also reported in Swords and Balrothery in Co Dublin and in Sligo.