TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN will visit the south east of the country today to see areas that were hit by flooding brought on by Storm Chandra. 

The storm brought heavy rain last week on top of already sodden ground, which led to flooding across the country, particularly in Wexford. 

Storm Chandra left homes and businesses inundated with water, cars stranded, power cut and Enniscorthy town centre closed off after the River Slaney burst its banks.

Martin is expected to visit parts of Carlow, Wexford and Kilkenny today. 

A flooded street in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Researchers from Met Éireann and the ICARUS climate research centre at Maynooth University have carried out a “super rapid” analysis of the rainfall before and after Storm Chandra.

The researchers noted that the one-day rainfall directly from the storm was “not particularly remarkable”.

Enniscorthy in Co Wexford, where there have been nine major floods since 2000, was particularly badly hit. 

Official data from the Office of Public Works showed that the Slaney almost equalled its record high water level of almost 4.7 metres, which it hit during the notorious 2000 flooding.

Tánaiste Simon Harris said yesterday that the government was “responding in real time with financial assistance. I think people want that. I think people expect it. I think that’s absolutely right”. 

The Minister for Finance went on to say that “it’s not just about writing cheques after the flood”, adding that people also want to know what the government will do to prevent flooding.

“We’ve seen a lot of good flood relief skills put in place that have made a huge difference, but there are too many towns that many are waiting too long, and Enniscorthy is the obvious example this time,” he said.