Hundreds of homes destroyed by waters

HOMEOWNERS are today trying to assess the damage to their buildings following the worst rain to hit the east coast in living memory.

Two people died and there was extensive damage to property.

Hundreds of homes in the Dublin area were destroyed by flash floods caused by torrential downpours which hit the capital on Monday.

Although flood waters receded yesterday following heavy showers in the morning, many residents have been left trying to assess the extent of the damage.

The deluge also resulted in major traffic jams for commuters during the morning rush hour as many roads remained impassable.

The intense rainfall caused the death of an off-duty garda, Ciaran Jones, who was swept away by flood waters as he tried to alert motorists to the danger of a flooded road near Blessington, Co Wicklow.

A healthcare worker from the Philippines drowned when her basement apartment, adjacent to the Grand Canal in Harold’s Cross was swamped in about 3m of water.

Hundreds of Dubliners were forced to evacuate their homes as several rivers burst their banks and inundated buildings within minutes.

Widespread flooding in many parts of the city led Dublin City Council and South Dublin County Council to put a major emergency plan into operation. However, the real extent of the damage only became visible yesterday.

Several slip roads along the M50 were closed at various times, which led to serious traffic jams across many parts of the suburbs.

Hundreds of motorists abandoned their vehicles after becoming trapped by rising water levels.

Many commuters faced serious delays in accessing the city centre yesterday after Wolfe Tone Quay near Heuston Station was closed when a 30m stretch of the quay wall moved 10cm. One lane was later reopened but restrictions will remain in place for several days.

Engineers from Dublin City Council said it could be several days before any decision was made on whether the quay wall would need to be replaced.

The local authority said it would investigate complaints that flood barrier gates and sandbags were locked up in the Ringsend area.

South Dublin County Council said its emergency crews were deployed in several areas, including Tallaght, Templeogue, Terenure and Clondalkin, to assist householders.

Dart services between Dún Laoghaire and Dalkey were cancelled due to localised flooding along the line, while stations including Bayside and Drumcondra were also closed for periods. Luas services between St Stephen’s Green and Bride’s Glen were disrupted following a power failure, although normal services are due to resume today.

In the North, the Dublin-Belfast line between Portadown and Newry was closed due to flooding and subsidence.

Some roads in Carlow, Wicklow, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Monaghan and Tyrone were also closed.

Last night, the ESB said about 1,200 homes in Dublin city centre and south Dublin had their power cut for safety reasons. However, it is hoped to restore electricity once waters recede.

Eircom said it received an estimated 6,000 reports of line faults due to flooding.

Met Éireann confirmed 80mm of rainfall fell during the second half of Monday in Dublin and surrounding areas — equivalent to a month’s rainfall.