When council workers closed the park road to traffic and pedestrians in Mallow last Friday following 24 hours of torrential rain and high winds, they could have scarcely imagined that within four days the road would have to be closed again, and to add to this they also had to erect a flood barrier across Bridge Street in order to stop water from deluging the street. After last Thursday’s storm, river levels remained high over the weekend, and when another major rain event hit the south over Monday night and into Tuesday, the River Blackwater burst its banks again. From early Tuesday it was clear that water levels were higher than last week, and the park was completely flooded by noon. At that stage council staff were preparing to erect the Bridge Street barrier at about 9pm, but the flood rose faster than expected, and by 4pm it was clear that immediate action was needed. Traffic restrictions were put in place, and within 90 minutes the barrier was up for the first time in several years. The flood eventually peaked sometime around midnight, and when it receded the council staff began dismantling the barrier, so that by morning the bridge was open to traffic again. The park road, however, was closed for most of Wednesday, and it was evening before cars could travel safely through it again.
As well as Bridge Street, other areas were hit by flooding, such as the Castletownroche road near Killavullen, the Killarney Road, the Spa road and Longfields Bridge, and the castle river walk was under water too, forcing walkers to find other routes.
To conclude, a word of praise for Mallow Search and Rescue unit which was called out on Tuesday night to rescue a person who was trapped by rising waters, and thankfully their quick action saved the day.