Wexford County Council confirmed on Tuesday morning that due to flood water levels, Island Road, Templeshannon, Shannon Quay, Abbey Quay and the Promenade are all closed in Enniscorthy town. The N80 (Ryland Road) in Bunclody is closed, as well as Clohamon due to the River Slaney bursting its banks following persistent rain overnight. Edermine Bridge is also currently impassable, as is the R730 at the Irish National Heritage Park. Diversion routes are currently signposted.
Wexford County Council and civil defense crews have been deploying sandbags in affected areas early this morning ahead of high tide, which is expected at around 11.30am.
A number of Enniscorthy schools including Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy Community College, St Mary’s CBS, Gaelscoil Enniscorthy, St Aidan’s Primary School, and St Patrick’s Special School have closed after following the advice of An Garda Síochana.
Castlebridge NS is also closed as there is no electricity.
Public transport services including Wexford Bus are unable to serve commuters at the Enniscorthy stop and are urging people who need to travel to their Oylegate pick up spot or at the Main Road outside J Donohoe Motors in Quarry Park. Customers North of Enniscorthy may expect delays.
In a statement issued this morning, Enniscorthy-based Fine Gael Senator Cathal Byrne said it is “beyond scandalous” that Enniscorthy is yet again hit with flooding.
Flooding in Enniscorthy early Tuesday morning. Photo: Jo Murphy/Facebook
“I call for the Enniscorthy Flood Defence Scheme to be delivered for the town without delay,” said Senator Byrne.
Met Éireann has issued weather warnings for 13 counties, saying bands of rain from Storm Chandra will be “heavy and persistent”.
The Status Yellow rain warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow and Waterford are due to end at 11pm on Tuesday.
Speaking on Monday ahead of the River Slaney bursting its banks, Cllr Jackser Owens said he has been in contact with residents and businesses about taking the necessary precautions.
“I have been out all weekend and the water has been extremely high. People do not understand that the water is coming down from the mountains in Wicklow, that it is not just the rainfall we have to consider. I have spoken to residents who have already put their valuables and stuff onto the second floors of their houses,” he said.
Flooding in Enniscorthy early Tuesday morning. Photo: Jo Murphy/Facebook
Businessman Conor Swaine of BTwenty7, who has a café on the side of the river said on Monday that though they had not yet completed any precautionary measures themselves, they understand the worries of surrounding residents.
“We have not done anything yet – sometimes people tend to jump the gun. Obviously it is very stressful for people. We’re actually lucky that it is a business and not our home, because then we would be as passionate with our concerns,” he explained.
“We were flooded before, but it is a great location for our café – it is just one of those things with being on the banks of the river. These issues flare up now and again. Every time it does rise, the council is out there and are helpful. But overall, I think a lot of us have just gotten used to it,” he added.