Flooding fears never leave victims of October deluge
But as the shrieks of laughter filled the family home near Clonmel, Co Tipperary, she had one more pressing matter on her mind: the weather.
Most particularly the rain drumming against the windows of the O’Briens’ home at Toulboy.
Liz has every reason to pay heed to the wet weather.
The O’Briens are one of the many South Tipperary families still trying to put their lives back on track after the disastrous floods of last October.
When the Suir spilled out over wide areas in and around Clonmel, Liz, her husband John and three of their four children had to take refuge in Hearn’s Hotel in Clonmel, two miles away.
On Sunday last, the family gathered to celebrate the seventh birthday of their daughter Priscilla’s little girl, Michellah.
“The day was lovely early on, but then the rain came down and with it came all those thoughts of last October when we had to leave the house when the flood waters destroyed everything,” Liz said.
They returned to the house about five days after the flood and the repair work is ongoing. But it wasn’t just water damage they had to contend with.
“We had an awful time with rats and mice. The rats even got at the food we bought for Christmas,” Liz said.
They had to jettison most of the furniture and electrical equipment such as fridge, freezer, washing machine and dish washer.
“The place was covered in sewage and there was an awful smell and we had to put down huge amounts of disinfectant,” she said.
Liz and John have been living in the two story house for nearly 20 years. In that time they have been flooded out four times. Consequently, they have no insurance cover for flood damage.
Last October’s bill currently totals €25,000, but it is still rising.
A Government aid package, announced by Minister of State Tom Parlon at the time, has covered most of the costs. But there are some things money can’t buy, such as peace of mind - a condition which melts into thin air when the rain falls heavily around Clonmel for many families such as the O’Briens.
But rain cannot wash away the spirit which got the O’Briens through last Christmas.
“We all gathered and had a great family day together. At the time you say ‘I can’t put up with it any more’. But then you just get on with it. You have to,” Liz said.
Getting the house back in habitable condition means a coal fire and central heating are at full blast 24 hours a day.
A lot of repair work still needs to be carried out in the house.
In every room there is a stark reminder of what it was like back in those dark October days. The flood water mark is still clearly visible on each wall.
“Sometimes you think it’s all behind you and then you get heavy rain like we had on Sunday evening and you are back listening to every weather forecast,” Liz said.
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