Kilkenny Council to distribute sandbags in preparation for flooding as 14 days of wet weather forecast
Sandbags are to be given out to Kilkenny residents following a warning from the council to prepare for flooding.
People all across the county are being urged to prepare for the worst following advice from Met Éireann that we can expect heavy rain and possible snow which could continue for the next two weeks.
Kilkenny County Council says the ground in the county is already saturated and the river levels high, meaning they the council are preparing the public for all eventualities.
Floods in Graiguenamanagh, December 2015
Due to this forecast of wet weather, the council have decided to set up sandbag collection points at ten locations around the county and are asking the public to be prepared in an effort to avoid the destruction caused by the floods of Storm Frank in December 2015.
A Council spokesperson told KilkennyNow.ie: “Met Éireann have advised that the current regime of periods of high-intensity rainfall will possibly be a feature of our weather over the next 14 days.
Thomastown floods, 2015
“As the ground is already saturated, the cumulative rainfall forecasted will increase the threat of flooding. The prolonged periods of rain will lead to higher river levels and a potential risk of flooding.
“The Council are continuing to monitor river levels.”
In light of this public warning, the council is making sandbags available at the following locations:
Kilkenny City: Outside Goal Road Depot.
Gowran: Gate to Council Depot, Woodquarter
Freshford: The Square
Ballyragget: Car park on Bridge Street
Johnstown: Gate to Council Depot, The Square
Castlecomer: Gate to Donaguile Depot
Callan: Council Area Office
Thomastown: Council Area Office
Graiguenamanagh: The Quay
Inistioge: The Quay
The warning has not been extended to the Piltown Municipal District, which covers the south part of the county, as yet.
Bennettsbridge floods, 2015
BEN BEVERIDGE says:
DELIGHTED TO SEE THAT KILKENNY IS PROVIDING SANDBAGS FOR HOUSEHOLDERS TO COLLECT AT SO MANY LOCATIONS. UNFORTUNATELY, IN ENGLAND, MANY LOCAL AUTHORITIES HAVE REFUSED TO SUPPLY SANDBAGS DUE TO PASSING THE RESPONSIBILITY ON TO SUB-CONTRACTORS WHO ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO SUPPLY SANDBAGS, ALTHOUGH MANY COUNCILS HERE HAVE OUR SANDHOPPERS FOR FILLING SANDBAGS. HOPEFULLY, SOME OF THE 120 SANDHOPPERS THAT WE HAVE SENT TO IRELAND WILL ASSIST IN HELPING FLOOD VICTIMS.