Insurance companies are beginning to provide flood cover again to businesses in some of Cork City’s most at-risk flood zones.

Insurance customers who are being refused insurance because they live close to a river — even though they live on a steep incline — should be using insurance brokers to fight their cause.

Cork’s embattled business community is demanding a clear commitment of government funds for flood defences in the city as it emerges that the bill for this week’s flooding will top €50m.

One hundred tonnes of timber clogging a Cork river poses a serious threat to public safety in the event of a flood.