Floods hit as town awaits relief scheme

Two floods within 12 hours left dozens of homes damaged as surface water depths topped 20in in a West Cork market town.

Residences were mainly hit in Skibbereen with many people — mostly pensioners — confined to their homes for most of yesterday, as the town waited for flood waters to recede.

The Government has ringfenced almost €13m for flood defences in the town, but locals yesterday warned about a “slippage” in a planned schedule of works for the scheme, still at the design stage.

After a 2009 flood which caused devastation to 200 businesses and residences, bookshop owner Cathal O’Donovan said: “Many people are now without flood cover and have no hope of getting flood cover.

“As each month passes by over the winter months, people are becoming increasingly frustrated. Each month of slippage allows for more flooding and the consequent expense to residents and businesses. As a flooded community we want Skibbereen Flood Relief Scheme to get back on track and work to commence in the first half of 2014 as originally scheduled.”

Heavy rain — up to 59mm — from Thursday evening to 2am yesterday, led to floods in Townshend St while tidal waters from 6am onwards left homes in Mill Tce under water. One resident, it emerged, had been flooded 16 times in 24 years.

Mr O’Donovan, who is secretary of the Skibbereen Floods Committee, said while “it’s business as usual” and the commercial sector is preparing for the bank holiday weekend, “the last 24 hours have been harrowing and unnerving for many people”.

He said: “With 59mm water falling in the space of six hours, it was going to have repercussions. As water cascaded along the Baltimore Rd to a depth of 20in there were a number of houses flooded at Assolus and Townshend St.

One resident said: “We’re all just sick of facing the risk of flooding. But give credit where it’s due, the emergency services and council staff were wonderful in helping to alert everybody and help some people with lifting furniture and flooring before the water came in.”

Town mayor Adrian Healy (FG) said he remained optimistic funding for the flood relief project was secure: “Work will begin in the second half of 2014 and be completed within 18 months.”

Mr O’Donovan commended the voluntary efforts of many of the emergency services and the statutory bodies.

However, he said there were concerns as workers were unable, at some points on the south side of the town, to open flood release traps. “I believe it’s down to an imperfection in the design, and once the road floods, it’s near impossible to find them.”

Earlier this year, OPW minister Brian Hayes visited Skibbereen and said he realised the continued serious personal and economic impact of flooding.

He assured locals: “The Government is absolutely committed to protecting the town and, when completed, the scheme will provide 200-year flood event protection to approximately 179 homes and 131 commercial properties.”

Meanwhile, with inclement weather expected over the weekend, Skibbereen along with neighbouring towns remain on flood alert.