Ireland Hit by Flooding
This weekend Ireland was hit by the worst flooding that they have seen in years. Transport systems collapsed and homes had to be evacuated following over a month's rainfall in a day.
Ireland was hit by the worst flooding it has seen in recent times this weekend.
Many were left stranded and had to be evacuated from their homes and cars, following what has been the worst weather to hit Ireland in years.
The newly built Westlink underpass was submerged in 20 feet of floodwater and today Fire crews are beginning the task of pumping the water out. The pictures of the situation at the Westlink underpass are reminiscent of the scenes in a H.G. Wells novel, with water reaching the roof of the tunnel and the lights hinting at a glimour of hope.
Many cars are still believed to be submerged at the bottom of the underpass after motorists were forced to abandon them as the water levels increased. The underpass cost around £104 million to build and opened 13 months ahead of schedule, but less than 2 months after it opened, it is closed. A full investigation is now underway to find out why the underpass flooded.
Homeowners are now undertaking the daunting task of claiming for special compensation following the month's rainfall that fell in one day.
In County Tyrone, local farmers got together to save homes by using their slurry equipment to pump out the water and control the levels around the village of Beragh. Although some homes were damaged by the torrential weather, many were saved thanks to the quick thinking of the local farmers.
As the cleanup it thwarted by yet more rain, many will be wondering when the damage can be assessed and insurance claim can be made and the re-building of people's lives can begin.
The weekend saw more than 800 calls to the emergency services, with staff stretched to the max. Animal were stranded, homes were evacuated and several roads were left completely impassable.
The Ulster Grand Prix was cancelled as were many football fixtures. The areas that were worst affected by the weather were regions south of the border in Kildare, Westmeath, Offaly, Tipperary and Laois.
Met Eireann has issued a severe weather warning and currently their website states that there is an official weather warning in effect. A force 6 wind is expected to hit coastal regions and the weather is also said to be conducive to potato blight. The warning should be lifted today, but from satellite pictures, the weather looks as though it is going to continue for much of the week.
If you have been hit by the bad weather and need to make an insurance claim, then contact AKA Assisted Claims and speak to our loss assessors about what we can do for you to get your life back on track.
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