Aid funds and more flooding on the way for many towns

Businesses in Bandon and elsewhere which were struck by flooding last weekend could have thousands of euro in financial aid by the end of next week — even as they brace themselves for more potential flooding this weekend.

Met Éireann has warned that tomorrow and Sunday will bring very wet weather conditions, and while the expected rainfall will not be as pronounced as that experienced last weekend — nor be as windy — the combination of already wet fields and spring tides mean some areas flooded last weekend could see a repeat.

Among them is Bandon, arguably the worst hit by Storm Desmond.

Last night, local Fine Gael TD Jim Daly welcomed news that businesses in the Cork town that were affected by last weekend’s flooding would be able to access the new €5m fund, which will be administered on behalf of the Government by the Red Cross.

The fund is intended for businesses in towns recognised to be at flood risk by the Office of Public Works and which have been unable to get flood risk insurance.

Under the scheme, businesses damaged last weekend will be able to apply for sums of up to €5,000 via self-declaration, with Mr Daly stating that the money would be delivered “within days”.

“We are going to have to trust people,” he said, referring to the speed at which the payments will be processed.

Businesses can also apply for sums of up to €15,000, but that will be independently assessed and will take longer for the money to be paid over.

However, Pat Clarke of Met Éireann said tomorrow is due to be very wet, with rain coming from the south-west and hitting Munster first, before spreading up the country.

He said the water table is already very high and that much of the rain water which fell last weekend has still not dissipated. “It does not take a lot to cause more problems,” said Mr Clarke.

Another issue which could come into play are high spring tides which are likely to peak this Sunday.

Mr Daly said people in Bandon were understandably concerned about the possibility of further flooding this weekend.

“There is no doubt about it — there is a very real fear that it could flood again,” he said, adding that until the completion of flood relief works in the town, not likely before 2018, the town remains “vulnerable”.

Meanwhile, Cork City Council said the rate of discharge from Inniscarra Dam is to continue at the rate of 180 cubic m per second, following further heavy rain in the western part of the Lee catchment area on Wednesday night.

The local authority said that while flooding is not anticipated for Cork’s city centre, there is a continuing risk of flooding on Lee Rd and Carrigrohane Rd on the outskirts of the city, with traffic diversions in place as required.

A spokesperson said: “The Cork Flood Assessment Team will continue to keep issues under review, and notes the forecasts for further heavy rain over the coming weekend.”

A spokesman for Cork County Council said: “Met Éireann has no weather alerts for Cork at this time and there is no concern regarding flooding for the next few days. Our Severe Weather Assessment Team convenes again [today] to review any potential issues over the weekend.”