Businesses call for early flood warning system
“The flood damage cost the commercial life of the city millions in lost revenue,” Cork Business Association (CBA) spokesman Donal Healy said. “Even today, it is sad to see that the Kingsley Hotel has not yet reopened.
“Many businesses suffered loss of income at a critical time in the lead-up to Christmas and now they have to deal with rising insurance costs.
“It is most disappointing to find that a year on from the event, agencies are still in denial about the true story around the management of the event.”
He said such flooding events are more likely given climate change predictions and he called for improved local weather forecasting systems to help the ESB manage water levels at its River Lee dams, and for an improved early flood warning system to allow businesses to prepare.
Businessman Humphrey Porter, 34, who built his Café Depeche business from scratch over the last five years, was one of dozens of business owners whose premises were destroyed on November 19 last. He had to let seven employees go when his espresso bar on Lancaster Quay was swamped by four feet of water.
He had just signed a 12-month lease for another outlet in the city’s courthouse, but it never opened, such was the extent of the flood damage in that building.
His Lancaster Quay outlet was closed for 10 months for repairs. Its front wall was raised by one metre and its floor was raised by six inches. However, its insurance premium has doubled and Mr Porter can’t get flood cover.
“It’s been a very difficult year but we were very fortunate because a lot of the companies I deal with supported me. I can’t say enough for Pallas Foods.”
He said nobody has been held accountable for the flood and he fears a repeat.
“There has been very little support from the city council in terms of preventing this happening again,” he said.
When he had a high tide alert a month ago, the river came up over the wall across the road and came within a few feet of the cafe.
But despite the difficult year, Mr Porter, who also runs a café in the Gate cinema complex on North Main Street, has opened a new outlet on MacCurtain Street, and is now back up to the pre-flood employment levels of nine staff.
Businesses on Cross Street, alongside the Washington Street courthouse, were swamped by up to three feet of water last year.
Helga’s Antiques, which had just taken delivery of its Christmas stock, escaped major loss because items were stored above floor level, but the business was forced to close for three days for cleaning.
“I’ll never forget it as long as I live,” says owner Helga Cleary.
“They’ve done absolutely nothing to protect the city over the last 12 months. If my rates aren’t paid on time, I’m up in court, but the authorities can’t protect the city. It’s crazy.”
Next door, Alison O’Donovan, who has run House of Beauty for 15 years, said she was devastated when she surveyed the damage to her premises, estimated at close to €40,000. She was forced to close her business for three days while the popular beauty salon was completely sterilised and repaired, and while valuable equipment destroyed by the filthy flood water was replaced.
“I can’t afford another flood. My business will go if there’s another flood,” she said.
She called on the council to introduce an early-warning system, and examine the possibility of developing public bunker storage points for sand bags at flood-risk locations in the city centre.
