A Donegal deputy has warned that Donegal Town will see more flooding chaos if pressure is not applied on the government to approve funding.
Pat the Cope Gallagher TD, who was in Donegal in the wake of Storm Lorenzo on Friday, said that action must be taken urgently to complete flood prevention works in key areas.
The alarm was raised after 5am on Friday morning when heavy downpours hit Donegal Town during Storm Lorenzo. Fourteen homes and four businesses were damaged by floodwater, with a number of roads blocked during the morning.
“Overall the picture in Donegal Town was critical, with serious flooding in Clarendon Drive, New Row, Drumlonagher and serious potential threat of flooding in Castle Street, in the area around the John Bosco Centre and Magee’s factory area, the latter areas only saved by the hide tide not fully coinciding with the heavy rainfall which had occurred earlier,” Pat the Cope said.
Sean Bonner clearing out the water from the Alzhemiers Society charity shop in Donegal Town on Friday (North West Newspix)
Deputy Gallagher said he has been in contact with the OPW and Minister of State Kevin Boxer Moran on the urgent need for Flood Relief in south Donegal.
“The OPW have confirmed that in relation to Brookfield, that the bridge which is causing the flooding has already had a Part 8 approved for works to be carried out, and all that is required is sanction of a grant of €70,000,” Deputy Gallagher said.
“Today’s flooding at Brookfield where at least 7 houses have been seriously flooded in this area alone, along with other flooding of lands, yards and the nearby Gaelscoil.”
He added: “What is immediately required for the Donegal Town is for the Government to sanction a full technical assessment of the town and environs, in order that a comprehensive strategy can be put in place.
“Presently the initial flooding survey compiled for Donegal Town, is part of a list of over 300 similar projects nationwide, and unless serious pressure applied, Donegal Town will languish without any progress being made.
“The Government, local authority and Department of Social Protection need to provide immediate assistance to all those seriously affected by today’s flooding.
“This is the third flooding of Donegal Town in the past three years alone, this cannot be allowed to continue, action must be taken and in order to get the necessary measures in place, the OPW and Government need to sanction for funding for Donegal Town flooding prevention,” concluded Pat the Cope.