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Out of season flooding due to heavy rains in Connemara forced the evacuation of homes and the closure of two schools in Clifden on Wednesday morning.
Crews from the Galway Fire Service, Gardaí and Galway County Council staff have been assisting city residents and businesses after the Owenglen River overflowed.
Serious water in Clifden this morning after last night’s rain. #Clifden #Connemara #HuracánLaura #Ireland pic.twitter.com/qCjfxSJUzi
– Micheál Ó Cadhain ⭕️ CoynesGastropub 🍽 #Connemara (@CoynesGastropub) September 2, 2020
The resort town of Clifden Glen was evacuated, as were several homes near the Station House Hotel in town.
Gardaí advised Scoil Mhuire and Clifden Community School to close due to deteriorating weather conditions, with a yellow rain warning issued by Met Éireann for Connacht.
Severe flooding in #Clifden this morning. Emergency services are evacuating people from their homes and there is now concern about bridges. The roar and power of the river is incredible. pic.twitter.com/bUprjxPFpP
– Maud Gibbons (@WheresMaudGonne) September 2, 2020
The N59 at Kylemore and a section of the road between Maam Cross and Recess were previously impassable, with one lane from Maam Cross west reopening to traffic as of mid-morning.
The route from Clifden to Ballyconnelly was also closed after heavy flooding.
Abbeyglen Castle hotel manager Brian Hughes told RTÉ Radio 1 that there had been a “deluge of rain coming down the Owenglen River” since early Wednesday morning.
Mr. Hughes said that he had lived in Clifden all his life, and had never seen the river overflow in this way.
Gardaí has warned motorists to slow down and avoid affected areas if possible.
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