Donegal County Council says it had no warning ahead of the extreme floods which struck the East Donegal area on Saturday night.
A month’s worth of rainfall (84mm) fell over the region on Saturday, bringing a deluge of water into towns such as Raphoe and Castlefin.
Just an hour beforehand, Met Eireann issued a status yellow rainfall alert.
“There had been no prior warning of an escalated risk for anywhere in Donegal. It should be noted that yellow rainfall warnings are cautionary in nature and are frequent in Donegal and other counties,” said a spokesperson for Donegal County Council.
The council received the alert at 6.36pm on Saturday 22nd with an expected onset time of 6.28pm.
The first reports of flooding in the Raphoe, Castlefinn, Convoy and Killygordon areas were made to 999/112 at 7.40pm.
Fire engines, roads staff and civil defence units were deployed to the affected areas.
Ten commercial premises and 8 homes were flooded, according to Fire service reports, but these numbers are subject to update in the coming days as all reports are collated.
Roads Service staff commenced the clean up and assessment operation on Sunday morning. Bridges and culverts were inspected, debris was removed from roads and areas that will require more extensive repairs were secured.
As clean-up efforts and assessments continue, the council has been in contact with The National Directorate for Fire & Emergency Management advising of the flooding incidents in the Raphoe, Castlefin, Convoy, Liscooley & Killygordon areas.
Potential assistance may be available from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) and the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment to assist, respectively, householders and businesses affected by this and which may be eligible for assistance under these schemes.
The DSP supports for eligible householders affected are available through contacting the National Community Welfare Contact Centre at 0818 607080, reference Donegal Flooding 22nd/23rd July and the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme.
It is expected that further details in relation to the Business Support Scheme will be available on Monday 24th July.
“The Council will be pressing for the two OPW flood relief schemes in Raphoe and Castlefin to be advanced as quick as possible,” the spokesperson said.
