Council issues ‘stay high, stay dry’ warnings as easterly winds cause huge waves No significant flooding reported in key residential and commercial zones
After high tide this afternoon, the council issued a warning to avoid seafront areas altogether.
‘Stay back, stay dry’ was the message as crews closed the harbour area in Bray, as well as the car park at the southern end of the promenade, with the advice being to say off the promenade, which was totally flooded.
You would have been forgiven for thinking there was a snowstorm on the seafront, as white foam rained down and gathered in mounds along the path, covering the cars parked in the designated bay near the promenade.
At the harbour, one car, parked directly in front of the oncoming tide, and with its owner nowhere to be seen, was close to being submerged. The swans at the sanctuary had paid heed to the elements and retreated as far back as they could, nestled against the fencing at the Harbour Bar.
Bray Head looms large over a wind and wave battered seafront on Thursday afternoon. Photo: Tom Galvin
Garden flooding in Bray
People are additionally warned to stay away from the east and north piers in Wicklow town and Arklow’s north beach.
A Yellow rain warning has now expired, shifting to Status Orange until 3pm on Friday.
The local authority have issued a new statement saying crews are continuing to assess the situation around the county, as a result of the ongoing Orange Weather warning.
“A high level of vigilance is in place, and crews in all Municipal Districts are closely monitoring the situation,” they said.
“Many rivers remain close to or above bank-full levels; however, most have receded from the peak levels observed last week.
“Further heavy rainfall is likely to trigger additional flooding due to saturated ground conditions. We will continue to assess locations recently affected by flooding, as well as other flood-prone areas.
”Spring high tides, combined with strong winds and coastal surge have resulted in wave overtopping in Wicklow town, Bray Seafront and at Arklow’s North Beach revetment. Coastal flooding could also occur in exposed areas. Members of the public are urged to stay away from these areas for their own safety.
“Community support centres across the county remain on standby and will be opened if deemed necessary. The Civil Defence remain ready to mobilise if rest centres are required.”
Stocks of sandbags have been replenished and are available across all district areas.
The public are being asked to continue to heed warnings already in place and to work from home on Friday if possible to reduce traffic on roads.
The council’s Severe Weather Alert Team met on Wednesday and remains on standby to reconvene if conditions deteriorate.
People in Arklow and Aughrim are still cleaning up and counting the costs after the devastation to businesses and homes when the Avoca River and Aughrim River both burst their banks during Storm Chandra on Tuesday last week.
Today, the conversation in Arklow is a mix of high anxiety and frustration as the new Status Orange rain warning took effect. With the ground already saturated from Storm Chandra, locals were braced for another round of flooding.
The Avoca River rose very high around lunchtime, but has since begun to fall again as the tide recedes.
Shopkeepers in the town remain on high alert, with many expressing dread that the progress made during recent clean-ups will be undone by further heavy rainfall.
Business owners have described the previous devastation as “apocalyptic” as they continue to restack sandbags.
In Wicklow town, the water from the Vartry River did threaten to overflow at high tide, but it never broke its banks.
Online discussions on local forums are increasingly critical of Wicklow County Council. Many are calling for long-term solutions like deepening the river instead of relying on temporary sandbags.
Despite the stress, there is significant praise for the “heartwarming” community spirit. Neighbours are actively checking on each other, and local groups including Aughrim Tidy Towns have been hailed for their massive volunteer clean-up efforts in recent days.
A local TD has questioned how the worst affected estate in Aughrim, Riverfield, was allowed to be built. The estate is owned by Wicklow County Council.
Speaking earlier this week from Riverfield, Sinn Féin’s Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin said: “Back in Aughrim today to speak with many of the lovely, welcoming residents in Riverfield estate.
”13 families are still picking up the pieces in homes remaining badly damaged. Many cars are now unworkable and insurance companies won’t provide homecover.
“These good people and others in Aughrim, Arklow, Enniscorthy and Bunclody need immediate assistance cover.
“My Sinn Féin Ireland colleague, John Brady had been progressing legislation that would mandate insurance companies to provide flood cover. The government needs to enact such a law asap.
“Riverfield, Aughrim is yet another example of a Celtic Tiger era development given planning permission on a river floodplain. My office is there for anyone needing assistance in any way.”
Elaine Byrne at her flood damaged home in Riverfield in Aughrim, Co Wicklow. Photo: PA
Additionally, an online fundraiser has been set up to raise money to help Aughrim families affected by the flooding.
The fundraiser on GoFundMe was started by Chloe Cassin, whose sister Leanne O’Toole and her baby had their home destroyed by flooding in Riverfield last week.
Writing on the fundrriser, Chloe explained the scale of devastation in the area.
“The river has burst and caused an extravagant amount of damage to people’s houses,” she said. “Flooring is floating, furniture destroyed, appliances ruined.
“There are vulnerable and small children in some of these houses. It’s a small community and any help at all is greatly appreciated.
“Funds will be used towards helping these houses.”
More than €800 has so far been raised towards the €4,500 target. To contribute, search ‘Flooded houses in Aughrim’ on GoFundMe.
Meanwhile, repair works are continuing on damaged roads, pipes and manholes, and the council said it remains in close contact with affected residents and business owners.
A number of roads remain closed due to flooding and structural damage, including local routes in the Shillelagh, Coolkenna, Coolboy and Knockanana areas. The L7251 Gowle Road between Killabeg and Clonmore, the L7245 Ballynultagh Road, the L7740 Killinure to Money Road and the L7235 Money to Parkbridge Road are among those closed to traffic, while Ballysilloge Lane near Knockanana is also impassable.
The Park and Ride, at Greystones on Tuesday, January 27. Photo: Facebook.
On the R117 between the 21 Bends and Enniskerry, one lane remains closed with a stop and go system in operation. The council warned that further closures may be required as floodwaters recede and the full extent of damage becomes clearer.
In Greystones, part of the Park and Ride car park on Mill Road has been closed as a precaution due to the risk of flooding, with signage in place directing motorists to alternative parking areas. Drivers have also been reminded that the N11 and M11 are operated and maintained by the PPP operator and a Transport Infrastructure Ireland-appointed contractor.
Members of the public are being urged not to park in flood-prone areas and to heed all road closure signs. Motorists have been advised to travel with caution, reduce speed and allow extra time for journeys, as debris washed onto roads has caused damage to surfaces in several locations. Drivers have also been warned not to attempt to drive through floodwater, with the council stressing that hidden damage beneath the surface could pose a serious risk to life.
Safety advice has also been issued for families, with parents urged to keep children and pets away from waterways and flooded areas. People are being asked to stay back from riverbanks and streams, and to avoid coastal edges, harbours, piers and low-lying promenades, particularly around high tide when water levels can rise rapidly.
Separately, residents in Rathdrum remain under a boil water notice that has been in place since January 27 after the adverse weather affected the quality of drinking water entering the public supply. Following consultation with the HSE, Uisce Éireann advised that all consumers supplied by the Rathdrum Public Supply must boil water before drinking to protect their health.
Wicklow County Council said the situation remains ongoing and fluid, with teams continuing to monitor conditions closely. Further updates are expected on Friday monring once the impact of the latest weather system across the county has been fully assessed.