Pic via A.W.S. Tyres facebook
The leas-Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District area says it is a miracle that noone was killed or seriously injured in last night’s floods.
Local businesses and homes in the Carndonagh area have been devastated, at least two bridges have collapsed on the peninsula with Donegal County Council confirming reports of a third bridge collapse this lunchtime.
Video from Grainne’s Gap in Muff, Donegal. Credit Sinead Quigley
The Inishowen peninsula in particular has been devastated by severe flash flooding overnight.
The emergency services including the coastguard helicopter from Sligo were called to the scene last night.
Pictures and videos are emerging on social media of roads washed away and a van getting caught in a hole which developed on another route
Donegal County Council has confirmed that two bridges completely washed away either side of Quigley’s Point on the R238 and the R240.
They also had to close Cockhill Bridge (R238 north of Buncrana) and the local road from Drumfree (North Pole Pub) to Clonmany.
Council staff are working to get one operational lane repaired on the R238 between Quigley’s Point & Muff and they hope that sometime this evening they’ll be able to reopen this road with traffic lights.
The R240 between Quigley’s Point and Carndonagh at the Riverside Pub will need a new bridge constructed and is likely to remain closed for a number of weeks at least.
The Council has confirmed to Ocean FM News that reports are also just coming in of a bridge collapse on the R244 between Carndonagh and Drumfree approx 3 miles from Carndonagh.
Donegal Minister Joe McHugh and the Minister with responsibility for flooding Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran are due to visit the area later.
Speaking to Ocean FM today, Minister McHugh says an immediate government assessment is needed on the extent of the damage.
He says the Minister will stay in the area overnight to ensure he can speak to local people affected:
Leas-Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District Councillor Albert Doherty has called an emergency meeting of the MD tomorrow morning.
He outlined to Ocean FM today the impact so far including businesses and homes that have been destroyed:
He says it’s a miracle that noone was seriously injured or lost their life as a result of what happened:
Road users are being asked to take extreme care when out and about today and members of the public who require assistance including emergency accommodation should contact the Council on 074 91 53900 or out of hours at 074 91 72399.
