Louth County Council issues statement on its response to the impact of last week's flooding

Louth County Council has issued a statement today in relation to the impact of unprecedented flooding incidents in north Louth and its response to them, as well as giving advice to those affected by the flooding, what supports are available, and how to access them.

The local authority says its response to the flooding in north Louth remains ongoing this week. Crucial to this response has been ensuring public safety through emergency responses from Louth County Council’s Fire & Rescue Service including rescues and pumping operations.  

It says outdoor crews have responded to the need for provision and deployment of sandbags to properties at risk of flooding/reflooding throughout, while also undertaking a programme of flood debris clearance from numerous roads as flood waters receded in order to make safe and passable, and clearance of drains at various locations to alleviate the risk of flooding at identified locations.

Louth County Council has received reports of damage to parts of the road infrastructure in the Cooley Peninsula, and says it will continue to attend to locations affected and attempt to carry out works to render them passable for vehicles, with priority given to the public road network. 

Significant resources, it says, were deployed to deal with the initial emergency response and the subsequent clear up phase, with a substantial programme of activity witnessed over the past week. The local authority will be reviewing its response to this weather event across all aspects, including formal assistance from other arms of the state, so as to inform future responses.

The council says it made a series of preparations for severe weather, which included ensuring 2,000 sandbags were stockpiled at the local authority depot at Bush, with a similar number at the depot in Dundalk.

Given the exceptional level of rainfall on the Monday night (30 October), these resources were utilised quickly, and immediate plans were activated to ensure these stocks were replenished as quickly as possible.

It says that the collection rate by members of the public of sandbags at the designated locations remained very high throughout the week, including last weekend,  and the efforts of outdoor crews ensured that the supply of sandbags has been sustained in order to meet this unprecedented demand.

Louth County Council Civil Defence was and continues to be available to provide humanitarian assistance to those members of the public who may have been isolated as a result of flooding, for example may require transport to attend necessary medical appointments.

Where specific estates and residential areas have been affected, skips are being provided by Louth County Council following requests, and this offer of assistance remain available (requests can be made via info@louthcoco.ie ). The local authority adds that it is appreciated that many householders within estates affected by flood waters have made their own arrangements at this point in regard to same. 

The council’s supervisors have been on the ground this week to respond to requests for assistance where properties are at risk of flooding, and action is taken in the context of the risk prevalent at each location and whether any suitable action is possible. 

Householders who have been affected are advised that the Community Welfare Service can provide assistance in the immediate aftermath of flooding and severe weather events through the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme gov.ie - Humanitarian Assistance Scheme (www.gov.ie), and anyone impacted by flooding events can make contact with the CWS by telephoning 0818 60 70 80.

Details on how to access the CWS are available on gov.ie gov.ie - How to access Community Welfare Services (www.gov.ie) . The purpose of the humanitarian assistance scheme is to provide income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged and who are not able to meet costs for essential needs, household items and, in some instances, structural repair. 

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment have launched two Emergency Business Flooding Schemes for small businesses, sports clubs, community and voluntary organisations affected by recent weather events. 

The Irish Red Cross will administer and make payments under the scheme, on behalf of the department. The date for applications has been extended to December 1st 2023.

For further information contact: emergencyflooding@redcross.ie