Latest: 'Extraordinary that nobody was killed', says Taoiseach following Donegal flood damge
The Taoiseach says it's extraordinary that nobody was killed or injured in the Donegal floods.
Leo Varadkar has been visiting areas worst affected by Tuesday nights wild weather.
The cost of the clean-up operation won't be known until the full extent of the destruction has been assessed.
Up to 500 homes have been damaged in the northwest this week.
On his visits to the flood-hit areas, the Taoiseach said, "I think you have to see it to understand the scale of damage that's been done.
"What really occurs to me is that it's just extraordinary that nobody was killed or seriously injured and I think we are blessed that nobody was injured or killed."
The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has flown into flood-hit areas of Donegal by Army helicopter.
Arriving in Inishowen Mr Varadkar witnessed first-hand the devastation caused by the storm.
He met with a number of people whose homes were severely damaged in the floods and those involved in the major clean-up operation.
An inter-departmental meeting on the floods in Donegal took place today in the Custom House. Statement is at https://t.co/pW5ZG6mc5a pic.twitter.com/gJIznateeV
— Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage (@DeptHousingIRL) August 25, 2017
It is estimated that as many as 500 homes could have been affected by the severe flooding in Donegal alone.
Several roads and bridges are still badly damaged after collapsing in the storm.
Soldiers were deployed to the county on Friday to assist Donegal County Council with the clean-up in the badly hit areas of Inishowen and Burnfoot.
Minister of State with Responsibility for Flood Relief Kevin Moran described the area as a "disaster zone".
Following an inter-departmental meeting to co-ordinate a response to this week's events, Mr Moran pleaded with insurance companies not to blacklist areas devastated by flooding.
He added that it was too early to put a cost on the clean-up operation.
Michael D'Arcy TD, Minister of State for Financial Services, said that every possible assistance will be provided to those affected.
Many parts of the North West suffered severe flood damage in Tuesday night's freak rainfall.
Officials from the Departments of Transport, Social Protection and Environment as well as the Office of Public Works (OPW) met on Friday to discuss the best way to support Donegal County Council.
An emergency humanitarian support scheme is to be put in place for small businesses, community, voluntary and sporting organisations to deal with the effects of the flooding.
The scheme will be administered by the Red Cross with funding provided by central Government.
Financial support under the Department of Employment and Social Protection's Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is available for things such as clothing and food for households directly impacted.
People in need of assistance are being advised to visit the local Intreo Centre where the Department's Community Welfare Service Teams are waiting to assist them.
Those unable to travel to the offices can contact Buncrana Intreo office on (074) 9364600 or Ballybofey Intreo on (074) 9130490.
Residents in Donegal affected by flooding are being reassured that Red Cross funding grants will be made available to them.
Hundreds of houses have been damaged in devastating flooding in the northwest.
Following an inter-departmental meeting, Donegal County Council has been told that whatever funding is required will be provided by the government.
As some residents are provided with emergency funds following Tuesday’s storm, the damage across the north west is laid bare pic.twitter.com/0yr30imzTG
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) August 24, 2017
Minister with responsibility for flooding Kevin Boxer Moran is pleading with insurance companies to continue to provide cover for those affected;
"One man I was speaking to from Donegal last night rang his insurance company and they told him 'sorry you are so close to the river you are now not insured,'" he said.
"That is another issue that is cropping up and people are paying their insurance, the insurance company needs to be clear in their understanding, they're sending out documentation pages long and people don't read everything that is in the small print.
"We need to start working with the insurance coming and I ask and plead with insurance companies not to black list people."
Flood victim Bernie Kearney, described her frightening ordeal at her home in Urris in County Donegal during when her house was washed away.
"The house was coming after me, I tried to ring people but I couldn't get through to anyone," she said.
"I couldn't see anything, the lights had gone out everything was blacked out."
Two status yellow weather warnings are in place for much of the country today.
Met Éireann has forecast further heavy showers and long spells of rain today.
Meteorologist Matthew Martinhas said some parts of the country will experience poor weather throughout the afternoon.
"We have a yellow warning in place today until this evening with further heavy showers expected to affect Donegal, Sligo, Roscommon, Leitrim and Cavan," he said.
"Some of these will be heavier and more persistent across the border.
"The good news is that these showers will clear away this evening and the weekend looks to be largely dry with just a few showers."
National response to northwest flooding to be discussed https://t.co/BEN1HrbTyZ pic.twitter.com/G9wgtbcXue
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) August 25, 2017
The Army has been called in to assist with the major clean up operation in Donegal.
Members of the Defence Force will arrive in Inishowen at 9 o'clock this morning
Around 250 houses were damaged, while up to 6 bridges and a number of roads were washed away following heavy rainfall on Tuesday night while more rain is forecast for today.
Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe is visiting the county today he has said the defence forces will work alongside Donegal County Council.
"Thirty members of the Irish Defence forces will be deployed today to help with the clean up," he said.
"They will be assisted by Donegal County Council and they will work under the coordination of the Council on what needs and what is required in the area."
Meanwhile, the Taoiseaqch Leo Varadkar has said he is shocked at the extensive damage caused by wild weather in Donegal.
In a video message, he sympathised with those affected and told locals in Donegal of the help available to them.
Hundreds of people whose lives have been decimated by extensive flooding across Co Donegal have been told that "money won't be an obstacle."
Ministers Shane Ross, Kevin Boxer Moran and Joe McHugh all visited families whose lives have been turned upside-down by the freak weather episode.
An emergency meeting of Inishowen Municipal Authority was held yesterday in a bid to tackle the ongoing crisis and to form a plan to help families.
Donegal County Council staff told councillors as well as Ministers Joe McHugh and Boxer Moran that the local authority would not be found wanting when it came to helping families get back on their feet.
The council’s Director of Services for Roads and Transportation, John McLaughlin, said “Money won’t be an obstacle here. We will do our best. We will not hold back. We have a responsibility to this area.”
The meeting was told that a total of 17 families have been left homeless by the flooding which rocked the peninsula but especially Carndonagh, Burnfoot, Muff, Buncrana, Cockhill, Clonmany and Quigley’s Point.
Aideen Doherty, the area manager for Housing and Corporate Services, confirmed the list of homeless families.
“A total of 17 families have presented as homeless to the Council and we are continuing to work with them. We have offered B&B services, but most are staying with close family and friends. We are in constant dialogue with these people.
“Our initial responders ensured that families were brought to safety and we had staff on the ground from around 6.30 in the evening.”
No cost has yet been put on the overall damage caused to infrastructure and buildings following Tuesday night’s devastation.
Humanitarian Assistance Scheme activated for people affected by Donegal floods https://t.co/r4FwnnkfyL pic.twitter.com/SBj2XQLYAE
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) August 24, 2017
A spokesman for Donegal County Council said “The Council are continuing to assess the extent of the damage to the Inishowen area and figures regarding the cost of the destruction are not available at this time.
However, many fear a repeat of Tuesday night’s flash flooding could strike again soon.
Met Éireann have issued a status yellow rainfall warning for Donegal as heavy rain is expected to strike the county again.
This story first appeared in the Irish Examiner.
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