Wexford: The north end of Wexford town was devastated by the most severe flooding ever seen in the area, as high tides and strong winds saw the water flow over the new quay front onto the quay and through side streets into Redmond Square and North Main street, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The town's Redmond Square, which houses major shops and smaller businesses, was virtually impassable shortly after 7 p.m. as the whole area became a sea of water, rising to several feet, as staff and management could only stand and watch as the water flowed through their premises.
Wexford's quay front was a virtual lake as businesses including licensed premises, furniture stores and offices were engulfed, while many cars were trapped in the water.
During the motorists' ordeals they had to endure many anxious moments as water, aided by the gale-force wind, swept over the bridge with some motorists claiming that the water actually swept over their cars.
Some motorists described it as a frightening ordeal as the bridge was shaking underneath them as the wind built up at speed. Many businesses in Redmond Square lost their stock, with Richie Doyle's Butchers having to dump joints of meat, while Atlantis Seafoods also lost its entire stock.
The tale of woe continued with Martin Fusciardi-Wallace, owner of Fusciardi's restaurant, estimating his loss at more than €100,000, while the staff at the local FBD Insurance office were transferred to their Enniscorthy branch as the flood rose to almost four feet.
Frantic efforts were also being made to clean up Dunnes Stores in the Square, where sandbags failed to stop the water, with members of the staff being removed by the RNLI, while Sam McCauley's chemists, which has just undergone an expensive refit, was also badly hit by the flood. The group's chief executive, Mr Paddy McCormack, said it was the first time they had flooding in their 14 years of business.
As flooding wreaked havoc through the streets of Wexford town, Wednesday night's production of Eva was rescued by members of the emergency services.
With the town experiencing its worst flooding ever, Mr Adrian Doyle, director of services, Wexford Co Council, told of members of the town's Fire Service and the RNLI having to carry members of the Belarus Orchestra on their shoulders through the flood waters to enable them reach the Theatre Royal in time for the production.
"Their apartment on the quay front was surrounded by water, but having alerted the emergency services, they were lifted through the waters so as they would be able to take their place in the orchestra.
"The pumping system installed for the south end of the town worked effectively, with no flooding in the King Street area which had been hit so often in the past.
"We were able to deal with the storm waters, but there was nothing we could do with the sea water coming in over the wall," said Mr. Doyle.
Many people who had planned attending the operatic production of Eva missed out as they were left stranded by the floods, while many more in attendance had to get B & B accommodation owing to the severity of the floods and high winds.