'Very frightening' - Killarney businesses on flash flood

Killarney businesses in County Kerry are grappling with the aftermath of what residents describe as “biblical” levels of rainfall that led to severe flash flooding overnight. The deluge, which overwhelmed drainage systems and caused widespread disruption, left local shops and stores damaged, with some owners expressing shock at the intensity of the downpours. The flooding struck Killarney late on Thursday, with reports indicating that water surged into buildings within minutes. Businesses along College Street, a central thoroughfare, were particularly affected. Lisa Wiltsey, co-owner of Lily Designs, described the scene as chaotic. She noted that water began dripping through the ceiling of her back storeroom before the floodwaters escalated. Within moments, water was gushing in from the front of the building, submerging the space and forcing her to flee. Cars nearby were swerving through the rising waters, creating a dangerous situation. Her shop, which has operated in the town for two years, sustained roof damage and lost some inventory. Pat O’Connor, owner of Variety Sounds, echoed similar concerns. Having run his business from the same location for 46 years, he stated that the scale of the flooding was unprecedented. Water entered through the doorway, and he recounted how vehicles drove through the water, exacerbating the problem. He noted that the sewer system was overwhelmed, leading to rapid accumulation of water. While the town had experienced flooding in the past, this incident was far more severe. “It was very frightening,” he said, emphasizing the suddenness of the event. John Lynch of Phone Savers described the experience as unnerving. He was on his way home when he received a call informing him that his premises had flooded. He was unable to return to the town immediately to assess the damage. The shop, which had been protected by sandbags, still faced nearly two inches of water. He observed workers from the local council attempting to deploy sandbags during the storm, though he admitted that their efforts arrived too late. At Aran Knitwear, store manager John Kelleher credited his staff with preventing greater losses. He recalled that the water began to pour through the ceiling shortly after six p.m., catching them off guard. The situation quickly turned into a crisis, with over two feet of water accumulating on the roof. He emphasized that the timing was crucial, had the flood occurred during the night, the entire main floor would have been ruined. His team acted swiftly to mitigate the damage, ensuring that much of the stock remained intact. The local government is now considering whether to activate a flood relief scheme aimed at supporting uninsured businesses. A decision is expected soon following an evaluation of the flood’s impact. The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has begun consultations with Kerry County Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to determine the extent of the damage and the need for financial assistance. The scheme offers up to €30,000 toward restoring properties to their pre-flood state. Killarney’s mayor confirmed that the flooding represented the worst in the town’s history. A status yellow rain warning, issued for multiple counties, was lifted at 6 a.m. after prolonged torrential downpours. Kerry County Council reported that flash flooding occurred in several areas, with some regions experiencing extreme rainfall. As the community begins to clean up, the focus shifts to recovery and long-term resilience against such extreme weather events.