Swollen rivers wreak havoc on homes

FLOODING:BRIDGES WERE closed and diversions put in place as rivers breached their banks, bringing torrents of water sweeping into homes and causing severe damage to local and secondary roads in Wicklow, Wexford and other parts of the southeast over the weekend

Melting snow and swollen rivers, which caused damage to roads and property, are expected to have less impact today. But many areas, particularly the southeast, are still at risk of flooding.

AA Roadwatch has reported major road damage and subsidence in counties Cork, Monaghan, Wexford, Cavan, Meath, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Offaly and Sligo.

In Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, roads were closed and gardaí removed cars parked on the quays because of concern vehicles would be swept into the river. Diversions were put in place.

In Arklow, Co Wicklow, the bridge over the Avoca river was closed after the town experienced what, according to local councillor Pat Fitzgerald, was the worst flooding since Hurricane Charlie 23 years ago. Homes were evacuated and roads from Vale Road to Aughrim were severely damaged. The bridge was reopened yesterday afternoon.

Considerable damage was caused when the Vartry river burst its banks between Ashford and Rathnew, severely flooding Mount Usher Gardens on Saturday. In upland areas of Wicklow close to Roundwood and Laragh considerable amounts of snow remain on the ground, with extensive damage caused by meltwaters to roads between the villages.

Outside Bray yesterday, Leinster rugby coach Colin McEntee was removing possessions from his 400-year-old farmhouse, as he prepared to move house for an estimated six months. A local river that was diverted caused floods estimated at more than 2m (7ft) deep to build up at the back wall of the McEntee house. As waters threatened the stability of a garden wall and rose through the floorboards of their home, the Fire Brigade ordered Mr McEntee, his wife, children and nearby elderly relatives to evacuate.

Next door a large walled garden used by people attending the Festina Lente day care project for adults with intellectual disabilities was severely damaged when the diverted river swept through the property.

Jill Carey, chief executive officer with the Festina Lente foundation, pointed to office accommodation in the gardens that was knee-deep in mud. The facility has now closed temporarily as a result of the damage, she said.

In Co Carlow, Kilcarry bridge in Clonegal was reduced to one lane due to part of the wall collapsing. There has also been subsidence at Pennybrook bridge near Clonegal, where traffic lights are in place.