SEVERAL people had to be evacuated from their homes in Dromcollogher yesterday (Sunday, July 20), including residents of a respite care centre, after flash flooding resulting from intense rainfall over the County Limerick town.
Limerick City and County Council said it responded to the shock flooding incident after receiving worried calls to its out-of-hours emergency phone line.
The extent of the damage in the County Limerick town is not yet known, however it is understood that a number of locals had to be evacuated from their homes, and that roads remained impassable for a number of hours.
It is also understood that the Council had to arrange alternative accommodation for some families affected by the flooding.
Footage shared across social media showed Dromcollogher locals standing in knee-high waters on one of the town’s main streets, bewildered at the freak flooding.
The Council’s roads crews arrived in the town to assess the situation and immediately requested further assistance, a statement from the local authority said.
Three crews from the Limerick Fire and Rescue Service, based at Newcastle West, Abbeyfeale, and Rathkeale, were deployed to the area to provide aid in the wake of the shock flash flooding.
Sandbags were distributed to protect local properties at risk from the flooding, and local farmers provided additional support by supplying water pumps.
Flooding was at its highest around the Dromcollogher Respite Centre, where a “coordinated pumping operation” was established to lower water levels.
Members of the Limerick Civil Defence were also on site to assist with the relocation of residents from the centre if necessary.
It is understood that some residents were evacuated from the centre by worried members of their families.
Water levels subsequently receded of their own accord and fire crews stood down in the waterlogged Limerick town at around 2am on Sunday night.
Some Council staff remained in the area to continue to assess the situation.
As of this Monday morning, all roads in the area are open, the Council said. However, motorists were advised to proceed with caution.
A clean-up operation is currently underway.
Anyone requiring further assistance or support can contact Limerick City and County Council at 061 556 000.
