Up to 50,000 without power as Valentine spares Cork from floods

Saint Valentine appeared to have saved the day for businesses in Cork City yesterday, but while last night’s expected flood never materialised, people in other parts of the country continued to endure weather-related misery.

After a raging start to the day, miraculously the wind and rain abated prior to yesterday’s 5.36pm high tide. Although the flood water lapped the top of the quay walls on Morrison’s Island, very little spilt out onto the streets.

Cork City Council’s director of environmental services Jim O’Donovan declared: “St Valentine came to the rescue.

“We had a bit of street flooding but no damage to property. We’re very relieved and glad businesses didn’t get hit again.”

However, around the country, up to 50,000 homes are without power; the worst-affected areas being Arklow, Enniscorthy, Limerick, Ennis, Roscrea, Killarney, and areas of West Cork, including Bandon and Dunmanway.

While many of these areas were due to be restored by last night, the ESB said it will be tonight before Killarney and Dunmanway get power back.

The ESB moved to quash rumours on social media that water releases from Inniscarra Dam were contributing to flooding in Cork and said it did not anticipate any significant releases until at least this afternoon.

Vodafone is still trying to reconnect customers in Munster, the Midlands, and the South East after storm damage knocked out network transmitters.

Boil water notices remain in place in much of Co Cork after pumping stations were shut due to power outages. However, many were lifted last night in the Bantry, Clonakilty, Castletownbere, Dunmanway, Bandon, Mallow, Fermoy, and Youghal areas. Further details are available at www.corkcoco.ie

Also in Cork, Fitzgerald Park will remain closed to the public until early next week due to tree damage, while Fota Wildlife Park, which was closed yesterday for the fourth time in a week, should reopen today.

The weather is being blamed for a 20.5% increase of flu-like illness in the past week, with the HSE warning vulnerable people to get immunised.

Met Éireann says the next 24 hours will become very cold, with some scattered showers. Frost and ice will predominate into the middle of next week.