ANYONE WHO has gone through the awful experience of having a home, a business or a farm damaged by flood waters will identify with the hardship being experienced by thousands of people in the south, west and midlands. For many of them, this has become a repeating nightmare and the cost of insurance – or its refusal because of recurring claims – has worsened the situation. The torrential rains that caused rivers to burst their banks and inundate low-lying ground were not of record-breaking proportions. But, coming on top of consistently wet weather and high water levels, it was sufficient to cause major disruption and financial loss.
At a time like this, community spirit and good neighbourliness are priceless assets. They demonstrate hope and resilience in the teeth of adversity. And those who give in a selfless manner benefit significantly in return by way of public appreciation and increased self-esteem. Few activities are more satisfying than helping those who are less fortunate than yourself. In that regard, public service workers, members of the Defence Forces and Red Cross volunteers should be commended for the long and difficult hours they spent in rescuing people from their homes, for providing emergency assistance and for minimising the danger and distress experienced by those affected.
Co-ordinated emergency plans were put in place as flood levels rose. Complaints that insufficient advance warnings were given to those likely to be affected were made in hindsight and may be unfair. Specifically, the release of water by the ESB from the Inniscarra dam, which led to flooding in parts of Cork city, has been criticised. But a public warning was given. Water levels at the dam had reached dangerously high levels and, had the structure been compromised, a catastrophic release of water could have led to a significant loss of life.
Some people are understandably angry. And there are many reasons. Some have been let down by Government relief works along major rivers. Others have been conned by unscrupulous developers and corrupt councillors who, during the building boom, co-operated in building housing and industrial estates on unsuitable, rezoned flood plains. And precautionary planning by local authorities has been inadequate, as demonstrated by the loss of piped water to half of Cork city.
The most important thing is that nobody died. We are more fortunate in that respect than our nearest neighbours, where three people were swept away. We must, however, learn from this distressing experience. According to experts, these extreme weather events are likely to become more frequent. They may get worse. That threatening prospect requires government investment, careful planning and difficult, unpopular decisions. As every schoolchild has been taught: we live on an island shaped like a saucer, with mountains along much of its edge. We therefore can reduce, rather than eliminate, future flooding. The expense will be huge. Because of that, limited funds should not be wasted in trying to protect flood-susceptible properties when relocation may be the answer.