Pensioner airlifted to safety after homes flood

An elderly woman had to be airlifted to safety today after homes and businesses were evacuated during freak floods.

Thousands of households are without electricity in Newcastle West, Co Limerick, since the River Arra burst its banks in the early hours of this morning.

One elderly couple who had abandoned their home were found nearby by the Coast Guard helicopter. The woman was airlifted to the Midwest Regional Hospital to be treated for hypothermia. She is in a stable condition.

Motorists have been told to avoid the area as the N21 road through the town remained impassable.

A clean-up operation has been launched as the water level starts to recede.

It is believed to be the first time the town has been flooded in living memory. Heavy rain overnight appears to have put pressure on local streams pushing into the River Arra.

A full-scale emergency operation was sparked at around 2am after local rescue crews called for back-up help, said Norman Fulham, of the Coast Guard.

A helicopter based at Shannon was sent to the scene.

“When they got there they saw the situation was extremely serious and requested further helicopter back-up,” he said.

“One of our helicopters rescued a woman about 100 yards from her home treading water and suffering from hypothermia.”