Council counts the cost of flooding as further warning issued
Data to inform the development of flood prevention measures
Homeowners and motorists are being advised of further flash flooding today as a 'Status Yellow' wind and rain warning comes into effect for all of Ireland, including Cavan.
It's a blow to Cavan County Council, which is already counting the cost of flooding damage over the past week.
Fire Services personnel and outdoor staff responded to scores of incidents around the county since last Friday and are braced to deal with further flood-related incidents over the coming days.
The local authority is, meanwhile, set to use the data to inform the development of flood relief measures in future.
Over the past week, six houses in the Gortnakesh area flooded, a number of roads were waterlogged, some impassable, while 17 flooding incidents were reported in the Ballyjamesduff Municipal District alone.
The flash floods occurred in the wake of heavy rain fall when the county was covered by a ‘Status Yellow’ rainfall warning on two days over the October Bank Holiday weekend.
As the clean up operation continued yesterday (Tuesday), a spokesperson for Cavan County Council confirmed in relation to the Gortnakesh homes:
“MD staff have been in constant contact with residents and have implemented temporary mitigation measures and are investigating preventative measures.”
Cavan Belturbet MD staff attended incidents at the N3 at Killygarry, the N3 at Pollamore, the R212 at Cathedral Road and Cullies, between Drumalee cross and the Conaty Centre, and the N54 at Leggykelly.
Seventeen flooding incidents were reported in the Ballyjamesduff Municipal District between October 24-28 in Munterconnaught, Bruskey, Cornafean, Ballinagh, Main St, Virginia Town; R194 Ballyjamesduff, and Gowna.
Roads affected in the Cootehill-Bailieborough MD area included the R191 Tonyhull and Dernakesh, R188 Corranure, L-5555 Ballyhaise, L-1503 Drumeena, L-7600 Lismagiril.
“The extent of flash flooding, contributing factors, and any mitigation measures is currently being assessed by the Municipal District teams,” confirmed the spokesperson yesterday afternoon.
The Cavan Town area was particularly impacted with approach roads on the N3 on the Dublin side dramatically flooded last Friday with traffic backed up and motorists struggling to get through.
In that regard, Cavan County Council, in partnership with The Office of Public Works (OPW), is currently advancing the Cavan Town Flood Relief Scheme.
“These flood records help to inform future planning and development and can assist emergency response preparation. Data collected from within the AFA from last week’s events will also be used to calibrate hydraulic models for Cavan Town flood relief scheme,” confirmed the spokesman.
In a statement, the council further confirmed: ‘Cavan County Council has commissioned ByrneLooby Consulting Engineers to develop and implement the Flood Relief Scheme for Cavan Town. This project will be delivered over five stages with works on Stage one, the identification and development of a preferred scheme, having commenced in June 2022.
‘Stage one will broadly comprise of hydrometric and environmental surveys, hydrological and hydraulic analysis of the watercourses within the AFA, flood relief options appraisal and selection, all environmental assessments and public consultation.’
Further information and updates relating to the Cavan Town Flood Relief scheme are available on the project website:
https://www.floodinfo.ie/frs/en/cavan-town/home/
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