Residents evacuated from homes as flood response plan activated

Residents in the Kilganey area of Clonmel are being evacuated from their homes tonight as the local authority prepares for the River Suir to burst its banks.

Level 3 of the Clonmel Flood Response Plan has now been activated.

Evacuation of Kilganey commences 9pm.River level currently at 3.8 next heavy rain expected after midnite @damienrte pic.twitter.com/1I8YWWJHBQ

— Jonathan Ryan 📷 🎙🚨📻 (@Tipperaryphotos) January 2, 2016

Families are being moved to the Clonmel Park Hotel as a gathering point while alternative accommodation is organised.

"A meeting of the Clonmel Flood Response team took place at 7pm, and based on river levels - the river level of the River Suir is currently 3.802 meters - and based on anticipated rainfall from midnight tonight and noon tomorrow, it’s predicted that the critical level of 4m for the Kilganey area of Clonmel will be reached," said Ger Walsh of Tipperary County Council.

"And based on that then, a decision has been taken to activate Level 3 of the Clonmel Flood Response Plan, and proceed with the evacuation of Kilganey."

Tipperary. Gardai and other agencies in the process of evacuating a number of houses in Kilganey, Clonmel due to flooding.

— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) January 2, 2016

The relevant statutory agencies will be liaising with the relevant families concerned with a view to identifying suitable alternative accommodation where necessary.

URGENT: Family in Kilganey being evacuated tonight. Civil defence wont let them take their pets 4 dogs/2 cats. Can anyone help

— PAWS Animal Rescue (@PAWSIreland) January 2, 2016

The situation in relation to other areas of Clonmel issued with a precautionary evacuation notice will continue to be monitored.

. @natashaquirke1 helping lift files from our Clonmel basement. Water coming up through floor. pic.twitter.com/TQ6exhLjg7

— Pat Quirke (@patquirke) January 2, 2016

The National Emergency Co-ordination group met in Dublin earlier to discuss the response to the ongoing adverse weather conditions.

Residents in Kildare are also on the alert for flooding tonight with the ESB increasing the flow of water through the Pollaphuca Reservoir.

The power company says it is due to very heavy rainfall in the last number of weeks in the River Liffey catchment area.

As a result residents have been warned of flooding in all areas of the middle Liffey, in particular Kilcullen, Clane, Newbridge, Straffan and Celbridge.

More wind and #rain on Sunday as the next big low pressure area heads our way. Darren pic.twitter.com/GnyKHQv0Fn

— BBC Weather (@bbcweather) January 2, 2016

Drivers around the country are being urged to “use common sense” if they encounter flooded roads.

The advice is to never drive through water if you do not know how deep it is, and to never drive through flowing water as there's a danger of being swept away.

Applegreen Garage Dungarvan Road Clonmel another car had to be rescued please do not drive through floods pic.twitter.com/wBluU98WGN

— Waterford City & County Council (@WaterfordCounci) January 2, 2016

“Yesterday we had three cars stuck on a road in Mallow,” said Superintendent John Ferris.

“Again, we’ve constantly said that when you encounter flood waters, you need to exercise common sense – unless you’re sure you can get through that flood water, do not attempt to go through it.

“Use the diversions, the diversions are signposted nearly everywhere, recognising the diversionary routes themselves have floodwater on them in many places.

“So we just need people to use common sense.”