Midleton meeting gets council update on flood measures

Business owners and residents of Midleton gathered tonight in the east Cork town devastated by the October Storm Babet floods to get an update from Cork County Council and the Office of Public Works about measures being taken to avoid a recurrence of last months harrowing scenes and consequent damage.

The meeting comes as many in the town were dissatisfied with the response from the authorities to the disaster which followed heavy rain causing the Owenacurra River to burst its banks and flow through the town’s streets.

In a statement issued to The Echo, a Cork County Council spokesperson said the local authority was “currently carrying out assessments of the countywide impacts of Storm Babet”.

“Cork County Council is engaging with State Agencies/Government Departments as regards funding arrangements and potential appropriate steps in what will be a multi-agency response,” the statement said.

“Midleton was particularly impacted by Storm Babet and has a live Flood Relief Scheme process.”

This evening’s meeting at the Midleton Park Hotel involving Cork County Council, the Office of Public Works, representatives of local businesses and residents of housing estates impacted by the flooding was facilitated by Midleton Chamber of Commerce which has been playing a key role in organising the local response following the flooding. Arup, the company which is to implement the Flood Relief Scheme, was also represented.

Social Democrat councillor Liam Quaide told The Echo that there were “powerful contributions from business owners and residents” at the meeting.

“A strong theme of the meeting was the need for a greater sense of urgency around measures that can be pursued in advance of the Flood Relief Scheme being completed,” he said.

“Attendees emphasised that residents and business owners were living in fear of a flood event of a similar scale as that of October 18 could happen again at any stage.

“Concern was raised about the need to better co-ordinate the actions of multiple agencies and the Department of Agriculture, as well as Cork County Council and the OPW to meet flood mitigation challenges.”

According to Fianna Fáil Cllr Anne Marie Ahern, the key points from the night were the need for specific communication, the urgent implementation of the Flood Relief Scheme, the protection of homes, businesses and communities and meeting people on the ground to get .

“People were understanding but, in the same breath, disappointed in the length of time it’s going to take to implement the Flood Relief Scheme,” she said.

It’s understood people were told it would be the third quarter of 2025 before submissions would begin to be accepted about the proposed scheme.

“It’s a very very long way off while you’re still vulnerable to the reaction of climate control and water levels and storm events that could occur any day.

“So they have advised that they are looking at several interim measures, they haven’t committed to any which is part of the disappointment for all of the attendees at the meeting so I would like to see that any interim measures that can be done that the homeowners and businesses be updated with that information as soon as possible.”