Major recovery efforts are ongoing in County Cork following a deluge of up to 65mm of rainfall that occurred across various locations in the county over a span of 12 hours yesterday. Bantry was amongst the hardest hit spots, facing considerable flooding on Main and New Street. The town has suffered from recurring flood incidents over the past year, with four serious flood events between 2018 and 2020.
Peter Burke, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment voiced his readiness to seek swift Government approval to reactivate the Government’s Emergency Business Flooding Scheme should the local businesses affected by the flood in Bantry prove to need it.
He remarked his deep understanding of the significant distress and impact the floods are having on the local tradespeople and small establishments in Bantry, Co Cork. He reassured that his Department is in coordination with the Cork County Council and the Government is prepared to offer their support.
He reminded that support has been extended before via the Emergency Business Flooding Scheme for small businesses severely hit by floods and uncovered by insurance. If required, the Government will be ready to re-launch this programme and aid the local businesses during these challenging times.
Yesterday’s severe rain warning, issued for Cork, Kerry and Waterford, ceased at midnight. The high tide at 7pm yesterday went by without any significant occurrence. The Crisis Management Team of Cork County Council met thrice yesterday and had installed pumps in known flood-prone areas.
Motorists were encouraged to refrain from driving through running or stagnant water and to be careful during heavy showers. Several accidents were noted.
Additionally, Fianna Fáil’s TD, Christopher O’Sullivan, has requested Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin to expand the Emergency Business Flooding Scheme to businesses in Bantry, in response to their immediate needs due to the recent flood impact.
Mr O’Sullivan reported that the monetary aid extended to businesses in Midleton the previous year was appreciated. This program offered initial financial assistance, amounting to €5,000, to alleviate damage costs, with the possibility of an extra €15,000 subject to the extent of damage. However, he highlighted the prevalent resentment among business owners about the recurring problem of floods. Propositions for a flood management scheme have been allocated funds but progress has been slower than anticipated, thus leading to continual issues.
Moreover, TD Michael Collins, an independent official, voiced his despair over businesses and homeowners dealing with the aftermath of yet another devastating flood in the locality. Encountering proprietors and residents in Bantry whose establishments and homes had succumbed to the flood was a viscerally distressing experience. The effort of council workers, the fire brigade, and volunteers in trying to protect property from persistent flooding does not go unnoticed and is worthy of gratitude.
The Taoiseach, Simon Harris, is constantly kept informed about the situation and is committed to providing the necessary aid for those impacted by the flooding disaster in Cork. In a recent post on X, Harris showered praise on the emergency services and their dedicated staff for their work during the crisis, acknowledging the concern surrounding Cork’s flooding for both homes and businesses. He pledged to offer the necessary support to those affected.
Similarly, Kerry wasn’t spared from the impact of the flood, with the thoroughfare N71, situated between Kenmare and the boundaries of Cork County, succumbing to the deluge. Kerry’s local council also addressed several incidents of flooding in various parts of the county.