Torrential rainfall leaves garden sheds ‘pancaked’
WICKLOW TOWN suffered considerable flood damage caused by Friday’s torrential rainfall.
The river at the Old Froge bust its banks causing the flooding of the Abbey Grounds. Rosehill also experienced problems with rushing flood waters causing a wall to collapse into the back gardens of five houses.
The recently re-opened Bridge Tavern had to close on Friday night after up to 30cm of water swept into the premises. Bridge Street Books was also flooded.
In many cases members of the community and local elected representatives grouped together to combat the rising waters.
Sinn Fein councillors John Snell and Garrett O’Reilly were both involved in trying to protect Rosehill from water rushing down from Ballyguile Hill. Sandbags had been placed outside homes and by 7 p.m. it appeared the threat of flooding had aliveated.
However, continuous rainfall eventually led to a build-up of water flowing towards Rosehill, causing a wall protecting five houses to collapse just before 10 p.m..
Cllr. Garrett O’Reilly says the damage could have been a lot more severe.
‘ The water was knee high in parts, while there was three to four feet of water out the back. If anyone had been underneath the wall when it collapsed then they would have been killed. Garden sheds were completely pancaked and flattened by the wall after it fell.’
Council staff, members of the Fire- services and the Civil Defence were all out in force to try and battle various ‘ black spots’ around the town.
The river by the Old Forge burst its banks, causing the flooding of the Abbey Grounds. 25 feet of wall surrounding the grounds also collapsed.
Describing the scene, Cllr. O’Reilly says, ‘ The Abbey Grounds actually looked like a large boating lake.’
There was also heavy flooding reported around Abbey and Main Street, while motorists were advised to avoid the Marlton Road between the Beehive Pub and Wicklow town.
There was flooding on the N11 between Jack Whites and Lil Doyle’s, while Barndarrig experienced problems as well. Motorists were also warned to take care while passing under the bridge on the Wicklow town to Rathnew road.