Floods in parts of south Tipperary have ‘abated’, says council

Several families forced to evacuate homes in Kilganey outside Clonmel

These canoeists make the most of the fast water, from the overflowing river Suir at Kilsheelan, Co Tipperary. Photograph: Eric Luke / The Irish Times

Tipperary County Council said on Sunday that the risk of high flooding in parts of the south of the county had "abated" although the situation will be closely monitored in the coming days and weeks.

Several families left their homes late on Saturday night when part of Kilganey outside Clonmel was evacuated because of rising flood waters. The road through Kilganey was almost impassable yesterday, as are many other roads in the region. The main N24 Limerick-Waterford road came under renewed pressure along the Mooncoin, Carrick-on-Suir and Kilsheelan stretches once again after sections had to close last week for some time.

Overnight rainfall wasn’t as bad as expected around south Tipperary but the river Suir remains at near-unprecedented levels. If not for the flood defence system, installed in recent years at a cost of €40 million, much of Clonmel’s town centre would probably now be under water.

Roads closed in Clonmel include the Quays, Old Bridge, Convent Road, Knocklofty Bridge, Coleville Road, and parts of the Waterford Road. Many outlying areas such as Ardfinnan, Kilsheelan Cloneen and parts of Cahir have also been hit by flooding.

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Carrick-on-Suir’s North Quay remains flooded and problems with the pumping system prompted the council’s crisis management team to deploy new pumps on Sunday to help clear the water.

In other parts of Tipperary, roads around Nenagh, Lorrha, Borrisokane and other areas were closed yesterday because of ongoing high water levels.

Many areas of Co Kilkenny remain on high alert, including Graiguenamanagh where pumps have been used to clear flood water from stricken roads.

Rapidly-rising water from the river Duiske, along with high levels on the nearby Barrow, led to flooding in the town last week and again on Friday and Saturday, while in nearby Thomastown and Inistioge businesses have also been hit in recent days.

The situation was said to be under control yesterday in parts of Kilkenny close to the Carlow and Wexford borders.

Other areas with high water levels include Freshford, Mooncoin, Piltown and Kilkenny city which is also under the protection of a flood relief scheme.

Waterford City and County Council are monitoring a number of areas including Portlaw where an old bridge partially collapsed last week, and coastal zones including Tramore, Woodstown and Dungarvan.

The N72 between Lismore and Cappoquin had to be closed at some locations because of the rising Blackwater.