Prolonged torrential rain causes chaos in Kerry with flooded roads and major bridges impassable

Landslides, flooded roads, and major bridges which were impassable for the first time in recent memory were recorded in Kerry after torrential rainfall in coastal and mountainous areas overnight on Monday and for most of yesterday.

South Kerry was worst hit with some of the heaviest rainfall falling in the areas between Cahersiveen and Waterville, Portmagee, and Ballinskelligs.

A Code Orange weather warning remained in place for much of yesterday.

In mountainous areas up to 100mm fell overnight on Monday/Tuesday, a council spokesman said.

The tips of the peninsulas in South and in West Kerry, the Iveragh and the Dingle peninsulas were worst affected. Glencar valley in the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks valley was also badly hit.

In the south of the county, the Inny Bridge between Caherciveen and Waterville on the N70 Ring of Kerry road, the only bridge capable of heavy traffic, was closed until lunchtime.

However, one lane re-opened later and by tea time both lanes were open. It is the first time in recent memory the bridge has flooded. Council personnel were remaining overnight to monitor the bridge.

The bridge at Killoe near Caherciveen was also closed because of flooding.

Also in Iveragh, roads near Ballinskelligs and Portmagee village were also closed, with minor flooding in the Fisherman’s pub and a number of houses in Portmagee.

At Dromid, the Dromcair bridge was closed and there was a lot of flooding on the Waterville side of the high Ballaghasheen Pass.

The R565 road from the main N70 towards Portmagee village was closed due to flooding at Lative.

A number of landslides occurred with saturated soil spilling onto roadways and on Tuesday night the R566 between Portmagee and Ballinskelligs at Coomanaspig remained closed to traffic. It could be up to a week before it reopens, a council spokesman said. Safety assessment would have to be undertaken following site clearance.

In Glencar, also after a landslide, the L4018 road in Glencar between Quaybawn Cross and Cappamore Cross remains closed.

Personnel would remain on site overnight to monitor the Inny and other bridges.

In west Kerry, spot flooding remained in the Castlegregory area including at Tullig on the Stradbally road. There was also spot flooding on the N86 Tralee-Dingle road.

Sandbags were distributed and council crews have worked through the night in the worst affected areas.