Emergency services are monitoring the situation closely and many roads in the Galway area are impassable as a result of heavy overnight rainfall.
Locals awoke to severe flooding in Clifden in Co. Galway this morning following torrential rainfall overnight. Also spilling over into the early hours of today, emergency services have been on the scene since this morning.
Several people have had to be evacuated from their houses, with fire service water rescue teams helping those in the Clifden Glen estate. Videos shared online show the extent of the damage with one elderly local saying that it’s the worst flooding she’s seen to date.
Drove into Clifden for some supplies. They’ve since closed all the roads. One elderly local said he has never seen anything like the flooding today. pic.twitter.com/uI6KjkyoSZ
— Jean Wallace (@jeanwallace17) September 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/sorobotic/status/1301120744248803329
Over 60mm of extreme rain in a five hour period at #Connemara National Park near #Leenane has caused severe flooding locally in Clifden, Maam and over the Connemara region. This rain is now making its way through the rivers locally. pic.twitter.com/X6CcqwPOxH
— Flood Information Service Ireland (@floodingireland) September 2, 2020
Fears that Ardbear Old Bridge in Clifden might be at risk due to extreme floodwater. https://t.co/fqEvek2f3V
— Cosain Climate 🌍 (@cosaingalway) September 2, 2020
Rain has started again & high tide tonight in Clifden @ 8pm. This isn't over yet unfortunately 😥 https://t.co/Tc8Bh9NpoU
— Elena Vaughan (@StigmaStudyIE) September 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/GavinLavelle/status/1301116152064757760
Motorists are being warned to exercise extreme caution when driving, with authorities advising that a number of local roads are impassable due to flooding. Gardaí report that part of the road running from Maam Cross to Recess is flooded, though one lane has since reopened to traffic. The same applies to the Low Road and areas surrounding Kylemore in Galway. Local diversions are being put in place.
A Status Yellow Rainfall Warning is in place for parts of the country. Issued by Met Éireann earlier today, the warning covers Connacht, Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal and is in place from 10 am this morning until 9pm tonight. Heavy rain is predicted to continue for most of today with conditions in Clifden expected to worsen considerably.
