Flood defence agency urged by insurers

INSURANCE companies last night demanded the setting up of a national flood defence agency as torrential storm waters yesterday added hundreds of thousands of euro to this year’s flood damage bill.

Pubs, shops, schools and family homes were no-go areas in flood-devastated parts of Cork, Kilkenny and Dublin.

The Government announced plans to provide a humanitarian aid scheme for victims of severe flooding in Cork which experienced back-to-back floods within a week.

Junior Finance Minister Tom Parlon also revealed plans for a review of the Office of Public Work’s national flooding policy.

With flood damage insurance claims so far this year exceeding 60m, the minister said: “The increased frequency of serious flooding in recent years is a matter of great national concern.”

The Irish Insurance Federation claimed its trade members made a loss of €8.2m last year. The federation demanded a new flood defence agency to help eliminate the hardship and trauma caused to flood victims. It also advised council planners and public representatives not to designate flood-prone lands for development.

Furious flood victims in the Blackpool area of Cork blamed the city council which, in recent years, endorsed major road schemes and commercial developments on marshy lands which were historically flood plans.

However, rejecting the claims, City Hall manager Joe Gavin said a lethal combination of weather factors was responsible for up to five feet of water on commercial and residential properties in the northside area yesterday morning. Heavy rain which saturated the land in recent weeks together with tidal conditions and climatic pressure were mainly responsible for an unprecedented flooding pattern in Cork, he insisted.

Cork City Council is to commence work early next year on a €3.75m flood relief scheme in Blackpool, he said.

The village’s last major flood was almost 40 years ago but the tight-knit business and residential community experienced two severe deluges within the past week. Heartbroken families and shop owners, who spent tens of thousands in recent days in refurbishing their homes and businesses, were back at square one yesterday.

Blackpool-based Deputy Kathleen Lynch estimated yesterday’s flood damage at €250,000 and demanded compensation for all flood victims. However, the humanitarian scheme approved by the Government yesterday was not compensation per se, Minister Parlon advised.

The Irish Red Cross, currently assisting flood victims in Dublin, will also administer the Cork humanitarian aid scheme, the Government said. Flooded roads in parts of the South and East early yesterday caused major traffic disruption. Sea crossings to England and Wales were also thrown into chaos by foul weather.