The Daily Star Ireland
The aftermath of Storm Bert is expected to cost millions of euros as a large-scale clean-up effort is underway across Ireland. On Sunday, weather warnings were issued for 13 counties, with wind alerts in place for Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Clare, Kerry, and Galway. These warnings are expected to cause fallen trees, hazardous driving conditions, and disruptions to travel.
Although the storm was not as severe as initially feared, with red warnings in place for Galway and Cork on Saturday, it still brought significant rainfall that caused extensive flooding in many rural areas. Homes were flooded, roads were rendered impassable, infrastructure was damaged, and both festive events and Christmas shopping were disrupted.
At its peak, more than 60,000 homes and businesses were left without power as a result of the storm’s heavy winds and rain. Over 100 rural roads were blocked due to flooding, fallen trees, and debris. By Saturday evening, the ESB had restored power to nearly 50,000 homes, with full reconnection expected by Sunday evening.
The worst damage occurred in counties such as Donegal, Limerick, Cork, Kerry, and Galway, with storm-related issues impacting 14 counties at one point. However, while Bantry and Midleton in Cork had feared the worst flooding, they were largely spared.
The combination of Storm Bert’s rainfall and melting snow from the previous week’s Arctic weather has kept flood risks high across the country, and flood-prone areas remain on high alert. Rising water levels have led to the construction of flood barriers in Mallow and Fermoy, while Kent Bridge in Fermoy was closed on Sunday due to flooding, but reopened later in the day.
Communities like Killybegs in Donegal, Abbeyfeale in Limerick, and Listowel in Kerry were severely affected by flooding, with damage described as the worst seen in decades. In Killybegs, a river flowed through the town center, while Abbeyfeale’s soccer pitch was submerged. In Listowel, the town center flooded for the first time in over 50 years. Many businesses are worried that flood damage may have ruined essential Christmas stock, compounding the economic impact of the storm.
In Galway, a major landslide occurred at Maam Cross, where heavy rainfall triggered the collapse of a hillside. Authorities are currently assessing the damage and safety concerns. Despite heavy rainfall across the country, some areas that had been expected to experience severe flooding, such as Midleton and Bantry, escaped significant damage.
Storm Bert also caused major disruptions to public transport, with delays and cancellations to Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann services, along with several flight delays and diversions. The storm’s rainfall, which reached 60mm in some parts, caused widespread issues, especially in Galway and Cork, where totals were predicted to be as high as 80mm in a short period. For comparison, the average monthly rainfall for December is 123mm.
Festive events were also impacted, with Fermoy’s Christmas lights ceremony postponed due to the storm, and some cities proceeded with their Christmas celebrations only after being delayed. Authorities urged caution on flooded roads and warned motorists to avoid driving into floodwaters, as the depth and current could be unpredictable. Drivers were reminded to ensure their vehicles were winter-ready, including checking tires, wipers, and lights.
Water Safety Ireland advised the public to stay away from fast-moving rivers and streams, as many have been turned into dangerous torrents. People were also cautioned against visiting exposed coastal areas due to the risk of strong gusts.
