Minister Burke to Reopen Emergency Flooding Scheme Amid Storm Bert Devastation in Ireland

Emergency Humanitarian Flooding Scheme to Reopen

Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke has announced plans to seek Government approval for the Emergency Humanitarian Flooding Scheme. This scheme offers crucial support to businesses that cannot obtain flood insurance and are impacted by severe weather.

The scheme comes in response to widespread flooding caused by Storm Bert, which affected various towns and villages in Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Galway, and Donegal in the past 24 hours. Many local businesses, like The Flour House bakery in Riverstick, experienced flooding again, just months after dealing with damage from Storm Babet earlier this year.

Minister Burke assured traders that his Department is collaborating with the Department of Housing and local authorities to handle the current crisis. He expressed understanding of the distress flooding causes to local businesses, especially during this crucial time of year.

Cleanup and Recovery Operations Ongoing

Following the storm, the cleanup operation is actively underway across Ireland. Met Éireann issued red weather alerts before the storm for Cork and Galway, predicting severe flooding and damage. Yellow wind alerts were also in effect for eleven counties, including Cork, Kerry, Waterford, and Donegal.

Cleanup efforts have begun in Cork, with the County Council’s incident response phase concluded. Some roads remain closed, while others have reopened. Up to 66mm of rain fell in Dunmanway, Co Cork, before midnight.

Water Supply Disruptions in Cork and Kerry

Uisce Éireann is working to fix water supply issues in Cork and Kerry caused by Storm Bert. Mechanical problems at the Clonakilty Water Treatment Plant impacted supply in areas like Clonakilty and Shannonvale. A bridge collapse in Sneem disrupted water services in Kerry, leading to alternative measures with bulk water containers.

Crews are currently repairing burst pipes and are investigating issues at the Gearha Water Treatment Plant. Restoration may take several days due to storm effects and snowy conditions.

Flood Monitoring in Kerry

Flooding along major routes in Kerry has receded, and roads such as the N22 near Glenflesk have reopened. However, minor roads remain inaccessible. The Five Mile Bridge on the N71 continues to be monitored as crews work to manage rising water levels. Cleanup efforts across the affected areas are ongoing as communities start rebuilding after the storm’s impacts.