The Government yesterday committed to providing a further €15 million in emergency relief for severe weather damage as the country battened down for a fresh onslaught.
Met Éireann issued orange status warnings – the second highest category – for the east and south coast with high tides and winds expected to bring further flooding.
High tide in Cork just before 9pm sent flood waters rushing down a number of streets in the city centre. However, flood protection measures put in place earlier in the day helped reduce the extent of the damage.
Gardaí had closed off large sections of the city centre to traffic from 7pm onwards as the river Lee began to burst its banks. A few people tried swimming in Oliver Plunkett Street, which was under 60cm (2ft) of water.
Roof blown off
Flooding was reported in Youghal, Bandon, Midleton and Clonakilty. The AA reported road closures in parts of Thurles, Co Tipperary, and in New Ross, Co Wexford. In Dublin, part of a roof was blown off a building on Grand Canal Quay.
The ESB reported that 19,000 people were left without power, with many expected to be affected overnight.
Farmers along the western and southern seaboards are counting the cost of damage inflicted from debris washed in by the sea and covering thousands of acres.
The €15 million emergency allocation announced yesterday has been sanctioned on top of an existing €10 million relief fund for those in immediate distress, and the Government said more capital would follow once the extent of the damage had been calculated.
The emergency fund will be administered by the Department of the Environment and is in addition to the humanitarian assistance scheme already operated by the Department of Social Protection for assistance in the aftermath of floods.
Means-tested scheme
Just over €2.2 million has been drawn down since the fund was established in 2010, assisting those who cannot afford to repair their homes. However, the means-tested scheme has been criticised for the length of time it takes to process claims.
There is also a separate urgent-needs payment available through community welfare offices to cover costs such as food and clothing.
Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan said the Government is engaged nationally and with "local authorities and emergency response units in order to provide every assistance they need, including financial, to carry out their invaluable work".
A Cabinet meeting tomorrow will hear reports from councils around the country.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the €15 million is for those in immediate distress due to loss of their homes or personal possessions. A longer-term response is being drawn up, he said.
IFA president Eddie Downey said up to 1,000 hectares were affected in Co Mayo alone and it would take months to bring the land back to its former state. Pat O'Donoghue, of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association, said thousands of farmers from Co Mayo to Co Cork were affected by seawater flooding that will destroy grass.
