Flooding forces closure of Tipperary leisure centre
Two community facilities in north Tipperary are inaccessible today as a result of flooding.
The Tipperary County Council run leisure centre and playground in Nenagh will remain closed today (Thursday, November 13) after the nearby river burst its banks.
It is understood that council crews were out on the roads across Tipperary at first light after a night of torrential downpours across the county.
With the extreme heavy rain that was seen across the county on Wednesday night, Nenagh Labour Party councillor Louise Morgan Walsh questioned how there were no weather warnings imposed by Met Éireann.
“Torrential rain has led to widespread surface and spot flooding across Tipperary. And no weather warnings from Met Eireann for Tipp?
"Unfortunately, more rain is forecast for Friday. Please take care on the roads,” Cllr Morgan Walsh said.
"Some properties are also at risk such as the swimming pool in Nenagh as the adjoining river is flowing at maximum level and may breach its banks,” she added.
On Thursday morning, independent councillor for Nenagh Séamie Morris confirmed that the leisure centre was inaccessible due to flooding.
"The Council leisure centre and playground are closed due to flooding,” he said.
"Micheál Martin is in town over the next few days, you might ask him why the Nenagh flood relief scheme announced in 2020 didn't go ahead,” he hit out on social media.
This isn’t the first time Nenagh has seen flooding. In 2020, flash floods left several roads impassable and caused a partial roof collapse in the town.
The proposed Nenagh flood relief scheme — announced that same year but not yet delivered — aims to build a 480m embankment along the Nenagh River, as well as the replacement of culvert on Benedin Stream with a hydraulic control to limit flows downstream during flood events, and a flood forecasting unit on River Nenagh.
The Yellow warning comes into effect from 9am on Friday morning, and will run until 9am on Saturday.
Met Éireann say that more flooding is possible across the weekend.
There will be heavy and persistent rain falling on saturated ground, with potential flooding, difficult driving conditions, and poor visibility across Tipperary on Friday.