Storm Austen leaves trail of damage across Waterford
Streetlights and electrical wires damaged on High Road in Dunmore East amid Storm Austen. Photo: WCCC
Storm Austen left a trail of disruption across Waterford overnight, with fallen trees, flooding and damaged infrastructure reported in a number of locations throughout the county.
Waterford City and County Council crews were deployed from early morning to deal with the storm's aftermath as hazardous conditions affected roads in both the city and county.
Several trees were brought down by strong winds, with incidents reported on the Tramore Road, the Outer Ring Road and the Coast Road in Dungarvan. A fallen tree also blocked the road between Applegreen Passage Cross and Jack Meades Bar during the early hours, causing difficulties for motorists.
In Dunmore East, a tree fell onto a streetlight on High Road, partially obstructing the roadway. The impact left the streetlight damaged and leaning to one side, highlighting the force of the overnight storm.
Flooding was also reported in a number of areas. Hennessey's Road in Waterford City was affected, while surface water accumulated on the N25 approaching the Sayer Land Roundabout in Dungarvan, creating hazardous driving conditions for commuters.
Concerns were also raised in the Colligan Woods area of Dungarvan, where a tree fell onto electrical wires. Members of the public have been advised to stay clear of any fallen cables and to report damaged electrical infrastructure immediately to the relevant authorities.
Waterford City and County Council confirmed that ground crews were working throughout the morning to respond to incidents and clear debris from roads as quickly as possible.
Motorists are being urged to exercise caution while travelling, particularly on roads where flooding remains an issue or where clean-up operations are ongoing. Drivers have also been advised to be alert for fallen branches and debris that may still be present following the storm.
The scale of the clean-up operation underlined the impact of Storm Austen on communities across Waterford, with local authority teams continuing efforts to restore normal conditions after a night of severe weather
