Students sent home and residents evacuated in Clifden after flooding

Heavy overnight rain in Galway which has continued throughout the morning has led to several roads being impassable.

Hundreds of students were sent home early from school this morning in Clifden as flooding caused major disruptions in the Connemara area.

Heavy overnight rain in Galway which has continued throughout the morning has led to several roads being impassable, while rivers and streams have burst their banks amid fears that some small bridges might be washed away.

Met Éireann issued a status yellow rainfall warning for the area this morning, which will remain in place until 9pm this evening.

Secondary school students at Clifden Community School and pupils at Scoil Mhuire NS have been sent home early following Garda advice.

Residents in dwellings in Clifden Glen, on the Ballyconneely Road and close to the Station House Hotel had to be evacuated by fire crews due to flooding. There are no reports of injuries.

People being evacuated from their homes in #Clifden floods pic.twitter.com/uQM5NPKjpI

— Judith Faherty (@JudithFaherty) September 2, 2020

There were fears for the Dooneen Bridge in the town after the Owenglin River burst its banks.

The N59 between Galway and Clifden is flooded at a number of locations including Maam Cross, Recess and Kylemore Abbey.

Gardaí have warned motorists to avoid the area if possible as driving conditions are hazardous.

Senior assistant fire chief Anthony Travers said they had evacuated people from a number of dwellings in Clifden.

“There is flooding at various locations in the Clifden town area. It appears that the flooding was very sudden and severe,” he told Galway Bay FM.

“There are areas of flooding on the Galway to Clifden road and a number of diversions and road closures are in place and we urge drivers to be careful.”