Mother and child rescued after flood waters from river engulf their car
A MOTHER and her child were dramatically pulled from their car by emergency services after flood waters threatened to engulf it last night.
The incident happened on the Johnstown Road in Freshford, Co Kilkenny, where the River Nuenna burst its banks.
Local councillor Michael McCarthy said it was fortunate that the local fire brigade was able to reach the mother and child in time and get them out of the car.
Local council crews were able to get to 14 houses in the area that were threatened by flooding and sandbag them in time, although two houses had water seeping into them from the road.
In Dublin, the Dodder River burst its banks in Rathfarnham yesterday evening, while flooding also caused problems for motorists in counties Tipperary, Kilkenny, Wexford and Wicklow.
The Dublin Fire Brigade and council crews were dispatched to mop up after the Dodder burst its banks due to persistent heavy rain for much of yesterday but there did not appear to be any homes at risk of flooding.
Orwell Road in Rathgar and Dodder Road Lower in Rathfarnham were closed.
There were also reports of some houses in Rathdrum and Kilmacanogue in Co Wicklow being flooded due to heavy rain, while AA Roadwatch reported a number of roads around the country were impassable due to flooding.
Meanwhile, Met Éireann has said yesterday’s heavy rain will be replaced by bitter cold and possibly snow over the St Patrick’s bank holiday weekend.
A front from Scandinavia is expected to bring bitterly cold temperatures with the risk of snow showers on Saturday and Sunday.
While there could be a dusting of snow on St Patrick’s Day or overnight Saturday into Sunday, it will be bitterly cold with highs of just 3C or 4C and cold easterly winds, according to Met Éireann.