Storm Babet caused extensive damage in County Cork. Cities such as Cork and Midleton were severely hit. Many streets were inundated with water, reaching record levels in places. The situation is so catastrophic that the army has been dispatched to help evacuate certain areas of County Cork.
After the passage of storm Babet, which placed many counties under orange alert, it’s time to take stock of the damage. And the Cork region seems to be one of the hardest hit!
As a result, the town of Midleton became literally inaccessible, with streets completely inundated by water. It is estimated that in some places more than a metre of water was recorded, causing considerable material damage!
Midleton in cork. No red weather warning though, this is all just fine according to @MetEireann pic.twitter.com/fLloq9bzX9
— Seán Bent (@seanbentt3) October 18, 2023
Drowned cars, flooded buildings, severe seepage… An estimated 100 properties in the town were flooded. The damage is extensive… and very impressive!
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan expressed his solidarity with those affected in the city, while Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he was “deeply concerned” by the images of the flooding.
As for County Mayor Frank O’Flynn, he stressed that the storm was the result of a changing climate, with climate change causing increasingly extreme weather events.
These floods can also be explained by soil that is already saturated with water. River levels are particularly high and cities, although well-equipped with drainage systems, are not prepared to receive such a flood of water in 24 hours.
For the time being, the army is on site to evacuate those affected. Pumping systems have been set up, streets are being cleared and insurance companies are already hard at work recording the damage.
Authorities have urged residents of County Cork and other affected towns to remain in the safety of their homes and avoid travel at all costs.
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