North Wicklow residents evacuated as rising flood water threatens homes
The Wicklow PeoplePaddy Meakin shows Cllr Tom Fortune where the flood water came in and damaged his kitchen floor. Photo: Leigh Anderson
Kilcoole seafront resident Paddy Meakin and Cllr Tom Fortune with a de-humidifier in a flood damaged room. Photo: Leigh Anderson
Cllr Tom Fortune with resident Paddy Meakin who is showing how high the water rose during recent flooding at Kilcoole seafront. This channel of water runs behind the houses from Ballydonarea marshland to The Breaches. Photo: Leigh Anderson
Taoiseach Michael Martin meets with officials from Wicklow County Council in Aughrim following Storm Chandra.
Taoiseach Michael Martin speaks with members of the local community during a visit to Aughrim
A volunteer sees the light side of things as she finds a Start Powerboating guide among the debris in Aughrim following damage caused by Storm Chandra. Photo: Michael Kelly
The clean up operation in Aughrim following Storm Chandra
Volunteer Donal Lenihan loads the contents of a home onto a truck in Aughrim following damage caused by Storm Chandra. Photo: Michael Kelly
Volunteers gather for a clean up in Aughrim following damage caused by Storm Chandra. Photo: Michael Kelly
Volunteers clear the contents of a home at Fogarty's terrace in Aughrim following damage caused by Storm Chandra. Photo: Michael Kelly
A little volunteer helps clean up in Aughrim following damage caused by Storm Chandra. Photo: Michael Kelly
Volunteers clear debris at St. Martin's drive in Aughrim following damage caused by Storm Chandra. Photo: Michael Kelly
The definition of a “small business” has also been widened to include firms with up to 50 employees, up from 20, allowing more employers to qualify for aid.
Less than 24hrs after Taoiseach Michael Martin visited communities in south Wicklow to see the clean-up operation following last week’s devastating floods, residents further north have reached crisis point as water levels have forced evacuations in Kilcoole.
Flooding at The Breaches in Kilcoole has reached critical levels following the impact of Storm Chandra, with residents issuing urgent calls for help as waters from Seafood Bridge overflowed.
Significant flooding has been reported on Sea Road, with water reaching kitchen doors and forcing some residents to evacuate to hotels.
The area remains on high alert due to the Status Yellow rain warning effective until 9pm today. High river levels combined with saturated ground and high tides can increase the risk of further overtopping.
Local calls have been made for immediate intervention to "drag out" The Breaches—a process of clearing the shingle bank to allow marshland water to drain into the sea.
There has been long-standing tension regarding the maintenance of The Breaches, with Cllr Tom Fortune raising the issue repeatedly, most recently at a district meeting in Greystones.
During that meeting Cllr Fortune criticised the lack of coordination between Wicklow County Council and other state bodies.
Following the latest flooding on Sea Road, Cllr Fortune renewed calls for the council to find a permanent technical solution to replace the current ad-hoc, "emergency mode" responses.
News in 90 seconds - Tuesday 3rd February
While Wicklow County Council and Irish Rail have previously managed the clearance, residents have frequently highlighted the lack of a permanent, cost-effective technical solution to prevent recurring flooding in the area.
In 2023, authorities committed to clearing The Breaches on a more regular basis to mitigate flood risks caused by easterly winds and high tides however Cllr Fortune contends that little has been done since then.
“There are 18 houses subjected to flooding in the area. I think this demands some kind of taskforce; this is a serious situation.
“Irish Rail, the council, the OPW and the Wicklow Uplands Council all have a stake in the area, but they are all saying different things.”
In response district manager Helena Dennehy said the council’s environmental section will be informed of the situation, with the aim of scheduling a meeting with residents.
Echoing those sentiments Cllr Lourda Scott believes it’s important that the issue is addressed “as storms like Chandra are only going to get worse".
“There’s four different entities with a long standing stake in this and it's very difficult to get them all to talk. The residents are being left to suffer and some action needs to be taken now,” Cllr Fortune added.
An application for funding for permanent repairs at The Breaches was originally submitted to the Office of Public Works (OPW) before Christmas in 2021 by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, with Wicklow County Council acting as the coordinating body.
An engineering consultant has been examining a viable long-term flood defence scheme for the area. This review was essential to move from "emergency" shingle clearance to a permanent technical solution.
The local authority is expected to finalise the consultant's recommendations this year, which will dictate the scale of the next major funding request to the OPW.
Further south, the community in Aughrim, which was the worst affected urban area last week, has transitioned from emergency response to a massive community-led recovery effort, though it’s expected that repairs may take months to complete.
A major community clean-up took place on Saturday, January 31, organised by the Aughrim Tidy Towns.
Volunteers from Aughrim and nearby Tinahely worked to clear debris and assist residents in the worst-hit areas including the Riverfield estate.
The village was effectively cut off as the road from Woodenbridge became impassable, and the local Sacred Heart National School was forced to close.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin met with affected householders, business owners, local authority staff and community representatives in the village on Monday accompanied by officials from Wicklow County Council and local TDs and councillors.
Commenting on his visit, the Taoiseach said he wanted to assure them that all government departments and response agencies are “fully focused on protecting properties and alleviating flooding to the greatest extent possible over the period ahead".
The Taoiseach thanked those who responded to the storm's impact and had a long meeting where he heard from council officials and local representatives on what is needed to address potential future adverse weather events.
Wicklow Wexford TD Malcolm Byrne said the event brought out the best in the community.
“I want to particularly thank the local Tidy Towns who did incredible work, as well as local councillor Pat Kennedy who really put his shoulder to the wheel to coordinate the response.
"We will be doing whatever we can to address the problems of future flooding in Aughrim as well as in other areas. I will also be pushing for additional investment in rural road repairs as huge damage has now been done and could be worse if a frost steps in over the coming weeks," he added.
Public clinics for the Emergency Response Payment have been held at The Pavilion, with staff available to help residents apply for immediate needs.
The Irish Red Cross continues to process applications for small businesses and community groups, offering initial payments of up to €5,000 for premises that lack flood insurance.
The deadline for Stage 1 applications (emergency needs) has been extended to Wednesday, February 11. The government is also seeking to increase the upper limit for businesses from €20,000 to €100,000.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched by residents with a goal of €4,500. Funds are intended to replace essential household items, ruined flooring, appliances, and toys for children in affected homes. The campaign has already raised just under €500.
Wicklow County Council crews have been on the ground clearing mud and debris from streets and inspecting damaged infrastructure. Major routes, including the R747 Woodenbridge to Aughrim and R753 Ballinaclash to Aughrim, are now passable, though motorists are urged to drive carefully due to lingering debris.
In a statement council officials indicated they continue to assess the damage on some of the very rural local tertiary roads.
Staff are monitoring water levels across the district. In relation to the water levels at Glen Road / Chapel Lane, specifically, they are continuing to monitor the water levels and will re-commence works as soon as water levels subside enough to work safely.
Support has also been provided by members of the housing directorate crew in assisting residents in the affected housing estates with the clean-up.
The local authority has issued a "high alert" today, as further heavy rain on saturated ground may lead to new localised flooding.
In Arklow, crews are prioritising the removal of heavy silt and river debris from the Riverwalk, South Green, and Vale Road areas to make sure that drainage systems don't block during today's Status Yellow rain.
Many businesses along the Riverwalk that were submerged are currently stripping out damaged flooring and stock. The Irish Red Cross is actively processing emergency grants of up to €5,000 for these premises to help with immediate clean-up.
Residents with flood-damaged household items can contact the the local authority’s Environment Department for guidance on emergency waste disposal.
The local authority has made sandbags available at several municipal depots across the county, including at their Arklow base in the Knockenrahon Industrial Estate. Because supplies are being used quickly, crews are restocking supplies throughout the day.
Most main roads in the town, including the R772 Old Dublin Road (near Circle K) and the R747 Vale Road, are now clear of standing water but remain hazardous due to mud and loose debris.
Elsewhere anyone planning on travelling to Wicklow Mountains National Park are advised that walking conditions are currently difficult throughout the area. The ground is saturated, and the mountainsides are now very vulnerable to foot traffic. Visitors are advised to stick to paths with managed walking surfaces or to postpone any trek until the ground has had a chance to dry out.
The constant rainfall means local rivers and streams can rise quickly. If hiking on a route that involves crossing a waterway, be aware that levels may be significantly higher by the time you return.
You’re advised to stay safe and check for local road updates before you head out.