Storm Bert battered the West last weekend wreaking havoc across County Galway – leaving thousands of homes, businesses, and farms without power and clean water due to heavy rain and gales, while flooding closed roads and damaged properties and infrastructure.

In the city, 450 homes and business premises in Salthill were left without electricity for a period due to a power outage caused by the storm.

But the main effects were felt outside the urban area and clean-up was ongoing this week as Galway County Council, ESB and Uisce Éireann crew worked to repair damaged roads, powerlines, and water supplies.

Storm Bert, which resulted in Met Éireann issuing a red weather warning, brought power outages to more than 12,000 customers in County Galway.

Intense rainfall – with over 60mm falling in Conamara within a few hours between Friday night and Saturday morning – coupled with strong winds, caused localised flooding and widespread damage.

With ground already saturated, and snow accumulations on Wednesday and Thursday, the Council said rapid surface runoff into rivers and streams, led to a rapid rise in water levels.

Many rivers and streams in Conamara burst their banks, and several roads were impassable due to flooding.

The Owenglin River in Clifden overflowed, flooding seven properties; the Polladirk River flooded, blocking the N59 at Kylemore; and the Owenriff River in Oughterard overflowed, causing flooding on the N59.

Elsewhere, localised flooding affected roads across the county, with numerous trees down and several landslides reported.

The Council said a “major landslide” blocked the R336 between Leenaun and Maum, while damage to local roads due to scouring rendered some impassable.

A Council spokesperson said its crews, and senior staff, were in Clifden Friday and Saturday to monitor and co-ordinate the emergency response.

Pictured: Work underway over the weekend to clear the landslide which blocked the R336 between Leenaun and Maum.