Storm Barra has arrived.

The public has been urged to stay at home until Storm Barra passes as parts of Cork city are now under water, including South Mall, Pembroke St., Phoenix St., and Morrisons Island.

High tide saw the Lee break overflow its banks shortly after 6am this morning. However, many reports from the area suggests that businesses have been spared any severe flooding.

🌊High tide passed in @corkcitycentre this morn with flood waters flowing across South Mall from the riverside quays at Morrisons Island

🛑⚠️Due to a red weather alert until 9pm this evening, the public are being urged to stay at home #StormBarra #CorkFloods pic.twitter.com/UFvWtct5ng

— Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) December 7, 2021

Bantry has also been severely affected by floodwater, though according to Cork County Council “there are no reports yet of issues in other locations in West Cork at this time.” As high tide has now passed, it is hoped that we have seen the worst of the flooding.

Pumping operations currently underway in Bantry town centre as we assist @Corkcoco please avoid. #StormBarra pic.twitter.com/BYlkXZzYmb

— Bantry Fire Brigade (@BantryFire) December 7, 2021

Many public services are closed today, including all schools, HSE vaccination and testing clinics, all public counters at Cork City Hall, Black Ash Park & Ride, all Cork city libraries, and all public parks. All Cork County Council services are also closed to the public. Douglas Village Shopping Centre has also announced that it is closed today.

As a result of the RED Weather Warning for tomorrow Tuesday 7th of December Douglas Village Shopping Centre & all our Anchor Tenants will remain closed for the duration of the RED ALERT in the interest of public and staff safety
 
Stay Safe #StormBarra pic.twitter.com/jZGAzRCYLh

— Douglas Village (@douglasvillage) December 6, 2021

Most of today’s flights from Cork Airport have also been cancelled, and anyone travelling today is advised to check the status of their flight.

Iarnród Éireann trains are operating, though “services between Mallow and Cork/Tralee operating at reduced speeds as a safety precaution” with “delays of up to 30 minutes expected.”

Storm Barra Update: @AerLingus has cancelled all of their flights from @CorkAirport on tomorrow Dec 7 with the latest being EI-722 to London Heathrow which was due to depart at 17.30 and EI-723 from London Heathrow which was to arrive at Cork Airport at 21.00. #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/E9Ty2zCLhQ

— Cork Airport (@CorkAirport) December 6, 2021

The City Council’s Customer Service Unit (CSU) will be operating from 7.00am until 7.00pm today to allow the public contact us with any issue that may arise due to this severe weather event.

The most recently-updated weather warning for Cork and Kerry is status red, and it is expected to remain in place until 9pm this evening.

It advises: “Storm Barra: Southwesterly winds later veering northwesterly will reach mean speeds in excess of 80 km/h with severe or damaging gusts in excess of 130km/h. Due to a combination of high waves, storm surge and high tide, coastal flooding is expected. Disruption to power and travel are likely.”