Taoiseach pledges to support businesses in Cork after severe flooding

Updated 1 hour ago

Water is pouring down Oliver Plunkett St at 8.48am this morning.

His heart goes out to the merchants of the city, so please friends, when we clean the place #shoplocal like never before @LEOCorkCity @CBA_corcho @CorkChamber # COVID19ireland pic.twitter.com/a94vxhYg4j

– Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) October 20, 2020

SEVERE FLOODS AFFECTED parts of Cork city center this morning, and many businesses and shops were under one meter of water.

The high tide was due to hit at 8.35 am and brought water to the main streets of the city.

The council said the water started flowing onto Oliver Plunkett Street at 8:48 a.m. M.

With Oliver Plunkett St underwater, water halfway up Caroline St @CBA_corcho @CorkChamber @idahocafe @CorkParking @LEOCorkCity #corks pic.twitter.com/b2Ci2f0yKq

– Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) October 20, 2020

The floods also affected areas such as the South Mall, South Terrace, Cornmarket Street, and the docks. Cars left on various streets overnight were badly damaged.

Flooding has subsided in many areas, with Civil Defense supporting efforts to clean water from the streets this morning.

Fair odds for Finbarr, Tony and Rory – all @cc_civildefence volunteers who are pumping the floodwaters from a much loved chocolate shop on Oliver Plunkett St @CBA_corcho @CorkChamber #corks @CorkCityFire pic.twitter.com/aayoAI1GQj

– Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) October 20, 2020

In an update just before noon, Cork City Council said: “The waters have receded, although there is still some stagnation on Oliver Plunkett Street and its side streets. The operations teams of the City Council, the Civil Defense and the Fire Service are in place with jet vacuum cleaners and pumps to remove the water ”.

Local owners will be able to collect gel bags to further protect their premises / home at the council depot in Anglesea Terrace or collect gel or sand bags from the civic services site in Tramore Valley Park from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm: 00 pm today.

In a statement this afternoon, Taoiseach – and Cork South-Central TD – Micheál Martin said the government would ensure that support is provided to businesses affected by the floods.

At this morning’s cabinet meeting, ministers agreed in principle to provide the necessary support to those affected by the floods within the framework of existing humanitarian and commercial plans.

Martin said: “This latest flood event is deeply distressing for business owners in the city. This is a critical time for traders, and they are now facing another clean-up operation after this morning’s flood … We will make sure [support] Schemes are activated without delay.

I encourage business owners to apply for the funds made available to them. Today’s flood event, which has caused damages estimated in millions of euros, is further proof of the need to advance flood defense works in the city to prevent this type of flooding in the future.

Meanwhile, the Cork Chamber has urged people to show their support for their local businesses by finding local merchants when shopping online, with Level 5 restrictions looming.

Met Éireann has said the risk of flooding has increased since yesterday due to stronger winds from the southeast, with a yellow status rain warning.

Sections of Wandesford Quay were flooded at high tide last night along with other localized flooding, but the council said there was “increased concern” about the risk of flooding this morning.

The floods are also affecting other parts of the county, including Bantry, Kinsale, Youghal, and Carrigaline.