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Cork and Belfast flooded
- Published_at:2012-06-28
- Category:News & Politics
- Channel:slanabhaileeachtrann
- tags: ireland, cork, belfast, floods, wrecked, disaster, homes
- description: Cork County Manager Martin Riordan described the County Council as being "as ready as it could be" ahead of last night's flash flooding. Speaking on RTÉ's Six One News, Mr Riordan said that the council had received a rainfall warning and had responded accordingly. He said, however, it was difficult to be prepared for what he described as the "huge impact" of the rain over such a short period of time. The flood waters are receding in Co Cork and Northern Ireland after heavy overnight rain. Homes were evacuated and hundreds of ESB customers are still without power as a result. Met Éireann forecast further downpours across the south and midlands this afternoon. The ESB is operating an emergency helpline for people experiencing problems with electricity - 1850-372999. The National Co-ordinating Group of Emergency Management said that the rainfall has eased in Cork and river levels are being monitored by the ESB and the Office of Public Works. Cork City and County Local Authorities are working together to manage the response and the clear-up. The group said there are no reports of severe flooding in any other part of the country. Another 20mm of rainfall is forecast for the next 24 hours, which may result in some localised flooding in the south and east of the country. The group's chairman, Sean Hogan, said it met to monitor the situation and to support the local efforts in Cork. However, he said the clean-up phase has already begun and the authorities in Cork have not asked for any national assistance. Mr Hogan described the situation that had arisen for householders and businesses in Cork as terrible. The impact of the overnight rainfall was intensified by the rainfall in June, which has been the wettest June on record. Eoin Sherlock of Met Éireann said that nearly 50mm of rain fell within six hours last night. Normally, he said, 76mm of rain falls in Cork during June, this month over 200mm fell. (Send your pictures of today's flooding to yourphotos@rte.ie) The heavy overnight rain led to serious flooding in parts of Cork, with Clonakilty and Douglas among the worst affected areas. There is no access in or out of Clonakilty, while Douglas village was under a metre of water. An Post said it experienced difficulties delivering post nationwide. All deliveries to Cork city centre and the south side of the city were delayed. Northern Ireland also experienced heavy rain. Homes in Belfast were flooded and motorists were forced to abandon their cars. The fire and rescue service was at one stage dealing with an emergency call every 20 seconds. Flood waters in Belfast have since subsided and a clean-up is under way. Northern Ireland's Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has approved emergency funding of up to £1,000 for those affected by the flooding in Belfast.
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| 2012-07-01 | 2,473 | 3 | 1 |
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