Sarah Harte: We must learn from past floods how to live in this new reality of climate change

In the wake of Storm Babet — and with the prospect of further similar disasters — Ireland has to re-examine how it organises planning, forecasting, and insurance

The floods in Midleton and elsewhere have been devastating. Last week, we saw traumatised people, standing in businesses and homes with mops in their hands, wading through water, assessing ruined stock, to articulate what had unfolded to the media and politicians there to survey the damage, often blinking back tears.

Around 600 homes and businesses in Midleton and its surrounding area were affected.