FLOOD CONTINGENCY PLAN IN FERMOY A SUCCESS
The flood never came, but Fermoy was nevertheless ready for it, just in case, with a contingency plan in place orchestrated by the engineering department of Cork County Council and enforced by local authorities and gardai from Fermoy garda station.
Cork County Cllr Frank O’Flynn expressed his gratitude towards the authorities that have stayed on top of the escalating situation and provided constant updates and advance warnings through press releases and radio alerts.
He also thanked the outdoor staff that stayed on site until Saturday morning for their ‘tremendous help’ in preparing for the worst. Cllr O’Flynn also emphasised the importance of the Flood Alleviation Plan and its implementation in due time, as this would have been already the second flood this year, following on from the one in January.
“I met with many business people and residents in the area on Friday who were very anxious and concerned about the possibility of another flood,” he said. While Tadhg O’Donovan, Mayor of Fermoy expresses his gratitude to everyone associated with the contingency plan implemented, he wants to point out the “vulnerability of the town to flooding” and the necessity of the OPW Minister Martin Mansergh to confirm when the work is to begin on the Flood Relief Plan.
“I know for sure that the contract plans are drawn up and a contractor has been selected, but, while able and willing the OPW cannot engage with the relevant contractor until they get ministerial approval.
"I am posing the question, while we are fortunate on this occasion, the bottom line is how long are the victims of flooding in Fermoy to remain helpless hostages in their own homes because of the ministerial failure to give the Flood Relief Plan the go ahead? We are 12 months behind a similar scheme that was put in place in Mallow,” pointed out the mayor.
Published:
Thursday 7th August 7:31pm
