Flood devastation in Newcastle West

Cars piled on top of cars, thousands without power, "Millions of euro worth of damage" as freak flooding ravages County Limerick.

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At least 5 people, including a disabled woman, have been rescued by emergency services from rapidly rising flood waters in Newcastle West overnight. A number of people have been taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia.

The town remains impassable this morning in the worst flooding in living memory after the river Arra bust its banks late last night following an onslaught of extreme rainfall.

Local radio reports this morning that some parts of the town are under 6 feet of water. A massive rescue operation involving the Limerick county Fire services, backed up by units from north Cork was launched late Thursday evening to rescue people from there homes.

Limerick Marine search and Rescue was called in from Limerick City at 2.00am to assist in rescuing a man trapped at an apartment complex. They are remaining in the town today. Power was also lost in the town around 2.15am.

Water levels are beginning to recede this morning as rescue and cleanup operations continue. The waterford based coastguard helicopter was circling the town this morning coordinating rescue efforts.

People reported stranded in their cars on the road to Ballingarry, out of Newcastlewest have been rescued this morning.