Storm Babet flood victims so far claim almost €235k of emergency funds
The Irish Red Cross was tasked by the Government to administer two emergency flood relief schemes to Midleton, which saw up to 250 homes and businesses with no flood insurance cover damaged by Storm Babet last month. File picture: Eddie O'Hare
Nearly €235,000 has now been paid out by the emergency fund set up in the wake of severe flooding that damaged up to 250 homes and businesses in Midleton last month.
The Irish arm of the Red Cross confirmed that some €234,364 has been paid out as of Friday afternoon between 27 applicants, mostly in the Midleton area that took the brunt of Storm Babet's wrath in the middle of October.
There have altogether been 107 applicants, with two withdrawing from the process, and a further 10 deemed ineligible, it said.
The Irish Red Cross was tasked by the Government to administer two emergency flood relief schemes to Midleton, which saw up to 250 homes and businesses with no flood insurance cover damaged by Storm Babet last month, as well as other areas including West Waterford and Kilkenny.
Of the 107 applicants, 42 were made under the so-called Scheme A, and 53 under Scheme B.
Scheme B applies to a single initial €10,000 towards the cost of the damage, which can then be followed by payments of up to €100,000 after an assessment by a professional appointed by the Irish Red Cross.
Scheme A deals with smaller payments of €5,000 initially, with further payments up to €15,000 following assessment.
Applications have also gone into Cork County Council for assessment. They are then processed and sent to the Red Cross. Midleton Chamber of Commerce and the local enterprise office (LEO) have been assisting businesses in their applications.
Midleton Chamber set up a business advice clinic with the LEO following the flooding that is run out of its office. It is offering private sittings for assistance in filling out forms, in light of the incomplete applications that have been received by the Irish Red Cross.
Midleton Chamber said that following the first tranche of businesses to seek assistance this week, it is currently taking bookings for this Tuesday, November 14. Businesses can book a place by emailing info@midletonchamber.com.
A spokesperson for the Irish Red Cross said the local authority, Midleton Chamber, and LEO "have been brilliant" in their assistance, adding that their help "has really sped up the process" in getting funding to the badly affected businesses.
The releasing of funds is expected to ramp up in the coming days and weeks as the necessary red tape is cut through. The Irish Red Cross spokesperson said that the process had to be meticulous because it involved public money that would have to be accounted for.
The Government last week agreed to extend eligibility for emergency funding following a memo brought by Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney.
Cork Airport saw its highest October rainfall for more than 60 years, and last month was also its third wettest month ever, according to Met Éireann. In an indication of how the climate is changing in real time, October was only behind December 2015 and January 1974 among the rainiest months recorded at the monitoring station.
Check out the Irish Examiner's WEATHER CENTRE for regularly updated short and long range forecasts wherever you are.
