Floods return - Time to get out the mops

HOMEOWNERS and farmers all along the Blackwater are once again counting the cost of flood damage to property and crops.

It is little consolation to them that they must now be well versed in the practicalities of cleaning up after a deluge as they have endured serious floods on a regular basis over the years though recent floods seem to be particularly severe, regular and sudden.

The Blackwater Valley residents will feel sympathy for the residents of Newcastle West in Limerick which was the scene of devastation when the River Arra broke its banks inundating homes, shops, restaurants, and offices leaving a trail of mayhem. Some premises were under six feet of water. The Arra, a tributary of the Deel, could not cope with the consequences of 10 hours of tremendously heavy rain which started at around 6.30pm on Thursday. A rain monitor near the town recorded four inches of rain during that period, the rainfall expected in an average winter month.