Flood Disaster strikes Ireland - Irish Lions Launch Appeal
Our District Governor has initiated an appeal to try to alleviate the suffering of the thousands of people effected by the recent flooding throughout the country.
Rainfall over the first two weeks of November along the west side of Ireland was double the total for the whole of November in the previous year and during the first 3 weeks of the month in excess of 10” fell in most places. In a land saturated from 3 successive very wet summers, this amount of rain was falling on a sodden landscape that was incapable of absorbing so much water, and as water rushed to find rivers that were already overflowing, flooding became an inevitable consequence.
For people in previously flooded areas, the deluge meant sandbagging, and manning the pumps once again, but in many cases to no avail. By Friday 20th November the floods were reaching crisis points in locations from Cork to Cavan.
It was necessary to release huge volumes of water from the dams on the river Lee and this caused significant damage in the western suburbs of Cork City and in particular to UCC, and the Kingsley Hotel. The town of Bandon was also badly affected by a severe flash flood that swept through the town centre.
Relief works taking place in previous flood areas of Mallow, Clonmel and Carlow minimised damage in these areas.
The first location affected in the Mid-west was Ennis where parts of the town were submerged as the River Fergus overflowed, flooding houses, shops and an industrial estate.
Next hit was County Galway with Claregalway on the outskirts of Galway City experiencing unprecedented river flooding and many new housing schemes under water as a result. The River Suck burst its banks at Ballinasloe, splitting the town in two, and it became one of the worst hit towns. Gort in South Galway was badly damaged in 1995, but nothing prepared them for this flood. The area surrounding Gort comprises much of the eastern Burren and rains flow very rapidly with no direct sea outlet. Business premises, houses and farms were swamped and access proved very difficult. At one point Galway City was almost isolated, surrounded by water, and very difficult detours resulted.
The River Shannon in full spate from source to the sea saw floods all along its 200 mile spine through the centre of Ireland with Carrick in County Leitrim seeing damage to new buildings and old, Athlone having families rescued from their homes, and all the way down to Limerick City where suburbs were affected.
Thankfully, no lives were lost, but lives, homes and farms have been devastated and many people will not be able to return to their homes for months. Many had already been uninsured, more will be now. Cherished heirlooms, essential household appliances, and carpets and furnishings on ground floors have all been lost and need ultimate replacing. Businesses, already battling the most severe recession in living memory, are now trying to keep their heads above water, and farms will be out of production for some time.
The HSE, Local Authorities, Red Cross and St. Vincent de Paul organisations have done tremendous work alleviating the suffering for most people. However, the situation for many families will continue to be desperate for many months, and the resources available to these organisations will be limited. The need for other organisations, like Lions Clubs, to row in is essential.