Call for ESB to publish report into flood disaster

The ESB should publish its report into the flooding of the River Lee 12 months ago so the people of Cork finally know whether or not the catastrophe was a man-made or a natural disaster, according to community activist and geographer Barry Keane.

Mr Keane has been campaigning for answers on behalf of residents from the Mardyke area who have been suffering from the effects of the flooding for the last 11 months.

The ESB has revealed that a preliminary report into the flooding of last November has been concluded. One of its findings was that the prospect of significant flood events was greater than previous studies indicated.

The ESB had believed that the catastrophe was a one-in-800-year occurrence. They now think it could be a one-in-50 to a one-in-100 year event.

The ESB has also stated that no operation procedure changes will be coming into force until the Office of Public Works have completed their works downstream — works which have yet to start.

The ESB said once these works were done they would be in a position to change operating procedures to allow increased discharges from Inniscarra, improving their ability to lower reservoir levels in advance of heavy rain.

Mr Keane said if possible the ESB should introduce these operational changes immediately.

He said that if this happens and the report showed there was a “man-made element” to the flooding of 11 months ago, then those families affected may be able once again to get their homes insured against the threat of future flooding and get on with their lives.

Breda Scanlon of the Middle Parish Residents Association said what upset people most about the ESB was the company’s insistence that under the same circumstance they would act exactly the same way.

Cllr Dara Murphy, the former Lord Mayor of Cork, said the focus on the ESB as a State agency should be on protecting the people of Cork.

He said people affected deserved to be compensated for what they had gone through.

Cllr Murphy called on the ESB and the insurance providers to come up with a plan, under the supervision of the Cabinet, which would see measures taken to protect the city.

This he said would limit the risk of a future serious flood and in turn see families once again being able to get house insurance against the threat of future floods.

Article courtesy of the Evening Echo newspaper.