Officials in Cork did “not expect” Storm Babet would lead to such severe flooding.
Much of the town of Midleton is underwater and cars in its Riverside Way car park remain submerged.
Youghal, Carrigtwohill, Mogeely, Kinsale and Whitegate have also been badly hit and emergency services have been deployed.
Flooding on the Mill Road, Midleton #StormBabet @CorksRedFM pic.twitter.com/u654DV2FwR
— RedFM News (@RedFMNews) October 18, 2023
“There are properties flooding in Rathcormac and East Cork,” County Engineer Mark O’Sullivan told RedFM.
“In Midleton… there’s a lot of issues out there.
“Crews are on the ground throughout the county and have been out throughout the night as well.
“We’ve had to close sections of the M71 at Rosscarbery last night, where we’ve crew on call and pumps deployed.
“In Skibbereen and Bantry, we’ve had crews on call throughout the night.”
Entrance to Cul Ard housing estate on Station Road, Carrigtwohill between the church and the train station #StormBabet @CorksRedFM pic.twitter.com/qP46RGyBTl
— RedFM News (@RedFMNews) October 18, 2023
Cork officials said they are surprised by the level of chaos Storm Babet has inflicted on the county.
“We did predict significant road flooding yesterday evening in our public press releases,” Cork City Council Engineer David Joyce said.
“But the quantum of additional flooding on top of that was not expected.”
⚠️⚠️⚠️ Please avoid travel to Midleton if possible ⚠️⚠️⚠️ pic.twitter.com/IVZfnMhjc6
— Cork County Council (@Corkcoco) October 18, 2023
Tthe R600 from Belgooly to Riverstick has been closed and Irish Rail has suspended services between Cork and the towns of Cobh and Midleton.
Main image: Midleton, Cork. Picture by Cork County Council.
