Press Release/Update-Issued at 9.50am Thursday 31st December 2015.

Press Release/Update-Issued at 9.50am Thursday 31st December 2015.

Water Levels

Water levels on the River Nore and River Barrow have slightly receded but still remain high and of concern.
Council personnel will monitor levels throughout the day.

Safety Message

The public are being asked to stay away from the flooded areas, not to drive or walk through floods, to obey the warning signs that have been put in place and obey any instructions of Council personnel and An Garda Siochana and not to make any unnecessary journeys.

Where Road Closure signs are in place motorists are requested not to ignore these signs - they are put in place for their own safety and for the protection of any resident & nearby properties. Should a journey be necessary the public are being asked to use the main roads and to slow down as there is spot flooding all over the county.

Road Closures

The following Road Closures remain in place

• R704 from Mullinavat to New Ross (alternative route via the N25)
• R700 from New Ross to Kilkenny (alternative route via the N25 and M9 Motorway)
• R448 from Paulstown to Knocktopher (alternative route is R711, the N10 to Danesfort -i.e. the old main route from Paultown to Kilkenny City Ring Road to Danesfort)
• Main Street Graignamanagh - no through traffic - local diversions in place
• Thomastown - no through traffic - local diversions in place
• Bleach Rd near Kilkenny City
• & Numerous minor road closures are in place.

Roads re-opened

• Main Street Piltown
• Old N9 at Grannagh
• The Circular Rd in Kilkenny City
• The Rock Rd Inistioge

Care Required

• On the Waterford to Carrick On Suir Road at Aglish/Curraghamartin and at the Carrick On Suir side of Mooncoin-The road is severely flooded but is passable with care.

 

Department of Social Protection Emergency Clinics

Arrangements for Community Welfare Clinics are as follows
Mullinavat Health Centre	11:00 – 13:00
Callan Health Centre	10:00 – 12:00
Thomastown Health Centre emergency clinic	13:30 – 15:30

• The DSP staff to contact are Shay Murphy (086 3122048) and Martin O'Donnell (086-8370785), CWS 086 7810311
• The Department has stated that a further assessment of the situation will follow.

Public Health

• The public are advised to protect themselves from contaminated flood water. The Health Services Executive website contains useful advice and guidance on 'flooding and how to protect your health' the link to which is http://hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/publichealth/publichealthdepts/flood/flood%20risks.html

Emergency Humanitarian Support to Small Business.

• The Government has put in place a Scheme to support Small Business affected by flooding.
• Full details including application forms are available on the Irish Red Cross website, and can be accessed by mean of this link
  https://www.redcross.ie/emergency-humanitarian-flooding-assistance/

Helplines

• The Councils dedicated help lines remain open.
  If any person requires assistance they should contact the following numbers:
  056 779 4466 or 056 779 4463

Further update will issue throughout the day.

END

With regards / Le buíochas,


Michael Delahunty Media Liaison Officer-087-2997223/056-7794011

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