Fear in Mountmellick as flood waters rise

FEAR is rising in Mountmellick this morning as flood waters seep through vulnerable sections of the town.

Manor Road and Irishtown are among the areas hit by flooding and are on high alert, as county council staff work to pump away rising water.

The fire service and gardaí are also at the scene, with the area from Manor Road to Derrycloney particularly badly hit and already closed to traffic.

River gauges at Manor Road and Chapel Street recorded their highest river levels this morning, since they were installed in 2019.

With more heavy rain forecast over the weekend, businesspeople and residents are extremely fearful of another catastrophic flood event, similar to that which devastated the town exactly eight years ago.

The Owenass river is at flood levels and there are fears that it may burst its banks.

One resident said: “We just hope it’s not going to be like 2017 all over again.” 

Midlands Steel is among the premises already flooded, while business people in Irishtown are busy lifting stock to prevent damage. Sandbags are being distributed to businesses and homes.

Flood waters are also rising beside the fire station and at the rear of the Mountmellick Development Association (MDA) building. Mountmellick public playground is also flooded and will remain closed until further notice.

Laois Co Council's Severe Weather Assessment Team (SWAT) has been monitoring water levels across the county following heavy rainfall this week. The group met yesterday and this morning and are due to meet again this afternoon.

In a statement today, the council said: ‘Having regard to background river levels together with forecasts for more rain tomorrow, the SWAT will continue to meet, as required, to manage an effective response to the flood issues arising.

‘Regarding Mountmellick, Laois Co Council have been on the ground since yesterday and delivered sandbags to properties where the potential of flooding was anticipated. So far there have been reports of two properties impacted, these properties were attended to and provided with sandbags. Additional sandbags will be deployed, as required.

‘Since their provision in 2019, the river gauges at Manor Road and Chapel Street, installed to advise the design of the Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme, recorded their highest river levels this morning.

‘Water levels are currently receding, but more rain is expected tomorrow. The Severe Weather Assessment Team will continue to monitor water levels in order to anticipate where flooding is likely to occur and to provide assistance, where possible.

‘Pending delivery of the Mountmellick Flood Relief Scheme, Laois Co Council continues to implement an ongoing regime of effective river maintenance, where impacts of flooding are managed and reduced. For flood events such as this morning’s, the value of this programme is evident.

‘Motorists are asked to avoid those roads where flooding persists . Where this is not possible, please be aware that driving behaviour can cause surges of floodwater into adjoining properties, so please proceed with due care and attention.

‘More flooding is likely tomorrow, as another band of rain crosses Co Laois. Further updates will issue, as required.’