Gardaí issue warning about flooded roads in Kilkenny

Gardaí have issued a warning to motorists after a patrol car encountered flooding yesterday on the Bleach Road in Kilkenny.

"One of our lads out on patrol this evening came across a very flooded Bleach Road," a garda spokesperson said.

"Many motorists 'chance it' when they come to an obstacle such as a flood of unknown depth.

"Some vehicles including large SUVs can cross 30cm and more in depth but the average car may be defeated by half of that.

"Furthermore, how fast you enter a flood also hugely affects outcomes as the experienced driver in these conditions will know.

"Another key point is what sort of vehicle you are driving and how low the air intake is in the engine bay.

"Contrary to what people might expect, electric vehicles actually fare quite well and diesel cars often badly.

"Diesels are powered by compression ignition rather than by spark like a petrol. Compression on a diesel is typically twice as high as on a petrol engine and as the wise know, water doesn't compress and engines blow.

"If after all this you're confident to drive through an unknown flood, you're braver than the patrol car driver."