Cork businesses in line for relief of up to €100k after floods 'no agency could have prevented'

Cork County Council CEO points out that, contrary to some claims, drains in Midleton had been cleared — but they were overwhelmed by an unprecedented 100mm of rain in 36 hours

Angela and David O’Keefe were among the many Midleton businesspeople opening their doors again despite the continued weather warnings in the wake of the Storm Babet floods. Picture: Chani Anderson

Cork County Council’s acting chief executive has said “no agency could have prevented the flooding in Midleton” as the town’s main street was submerged in 3ft of water in just eight minutes during Storm Babet.

Valerie O’Sullivan said the drainage system simply could not cope with the deluge last Wednesday which damaged 250 properties, and the only thing that will protect the town is the planned €46m flood relief project.

An unprecedented 100mm of rain fell in 36 hours, with drains overwhelmed as they were unable to discharge into the rivers that run through the town.

As flood waters rose, the county fire service responded to 180 calls last Wednesday, and 50 firefighters were dispatched to help in Midleton.

The work of firefighters and council workers was augmented by many people and businesses in Midleton including community hub volunteer Kenneth Warren and John Roche from Wiser Recycling in the wake of last week's disastrous Storm Babet flooding. Picture: Chani Anderson

Ms O’Sullivan said that, contrary to some claims, Cork County Council had carried out major cleaning of drains and gullies in Midleton two weeks ago and they were checked again when Met Éireann issued the orange alert.

Senior council staff will meet on Tuesday with Patrick O’Donovan, the junior minister responsible for the Office of Public Works (OPW), and his officials to discuss the fallout from the flooding throughout the county.

Soldiers from 1 Brigade Signals filling sandbags at the Cork County Council depot on Friday to protect against further flooding in Midleton amid continued weather warnings. Picture: Larry Cummins

Ms O’Sullivan said the council will work with the OPW to see if it can find any short-term measures to help mitigate against further flooding, not just in Midleton but in other areas, and if projects are identified the council will seek government funding for them.

The local authority is also beginning to assess the cost of the damage to its 12,000km road network. 

While East Cork — particularly Midleton, Killeagh, Castlemartyr, Whitegate, and Ladysbridge — bore the brunt of the damage to property, many roads across the county have been completely destroyed and there are fears others are subsiding.

An upbeat sign in the window of O’Brien Interiors, Midleton, Co Cork. Despite the havoc wreaked by Storm Babet, local people say they are determined to get back to normal as quickly as possible. Picture: Chani Anderson

As water levels in rivers begin to drop, the council will carry out structural reviews of all bridges.

The mayor of Co Cork, Frank O’Flynn, said several outdoor crews got no sleep during a 48-hour period last week, as he called for an increase in the number of outdoor staff available to the council.

Some councillors have suggested that dedicated drainage crews be created whose sole job would be to clean drains and gullies, and remove debris from watercourses.

Breda Sisk and Fionnula Coakley clearing flood water from the Homesavers store on Main St, Midleton, Co Cork, in the wake of the Storm Babet flood. Picture: Larry Cummins

In Midleton on Monday, the first signs emerged of a return to normality on the bustling Main St.

As scrubbing and cleaning and removing contaminated stock and homeware continued after Storm Babet, the town was once again alive with activity, between volunteers going door to door to help where they could or local people eager to spend their money to support their own.

Flood-hit businesses in line for up to €100,000 in relief payments

Businesses badly hit by Storm Babet could receive up to €100,000 in payments as part of new relief proposals set to go to Cabinet on Tuesday.

Finance Minister Michael McGrath, junior minister with responsibility for the OPW, Patrick O’Donovan, and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in Midleton on Friday after the Storm Babet flood. The Coalition is understood to have agreed further measures to bail out businesses damaged in the flood. Picture: Dan Linehan

It is understood that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste Micheál Martin, and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan approved the relief package at a meeting on Monday night. 

The scheme is due to be brought to Cabinet by Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney.

A distraught Lia Vaz cleaning up last week at The Urban Shave which had been renovated six months ago and has now been destroyed by the Storm Babet flooding in Midleton, Co Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

It is understood that the proposals include:

• The existing humanitarian relief scheme for businesses, with quick payments of up to €5,000 available, alongside assessed and audited payouts of up to €20,000;
• An emergency relief scheme, which would see quick payments of €10,000 made available, with audited and assessed relief up to €100,000.
• Low-cost loans from Microfinance Ireland worth up to €25,000 for impacted businesses to allow for either restocking or cash flow.

It is expected that up to 150 businesses and organisations throughout Cork and Waterford badly hit by Storm Babet, including in Midleton, will be able to apply for the emergency supports.

In a scene repeated all over the centre of Midleton, Co Cork, destroyed stock and furnishings were piled up outside Lollipop Kids on Main Street, Midleton, last week. Picture: Dan Linehan

These supports, funded by the Department of Enterprise, will be administered through the Irish Red Cross.

It is understood that the existing Humanitarian Assistance Scheme for households is to be modified, with full relief available to single people on incomes up to €50,000, and couples with a combined income of €90,000.