Bandon - Flooding causes havoc

Bandon Floods – An update 21/11/09 @ 12.40pm
Bandon – the Venice that we weren’t looking for!

'I have limited access to the intenet as the local telephone lines are down .. please note that despite my best intentions, I may not be able to update this on a regular basis.'

Yes, Bandon is suffering some of the worst flooding in living memory. Despite valiant efforts by so many local groups and volunteers, the Bandon River burst its banks on Thursday afternoon causing floods throughout the town.

Routes in and out of the general area have been severely affected.

Advice has been issued by the Gardai not to travel in the area unless you really must. Even the Garda station had to be abandoned due to the flooding. Drive with care. Be careful with driving through flooded routes .. do not cause a ‘wave’ as you drive through deep water.

One important suggestion for those travelling to and from Cork is use the Kinsale – Ballinadee route:

Innishannon has the roadworks and Crossbarry has been prone to flooding. I've commuted via the Ballinadee route and once you're not in a hurry and drive at a respectable speed - the journey should have minimal delays.

Unfortunately there is now an element of irony with the naming of the Riverview Shopping Centre as the car park has been under 3 feet of water. South Main St has been hit with flooding from the base of the steps of St Peter’s Church through the length and breadth of the town.

Ballylangley, the Mart area, Irishtown and out by Cahalane’s garage on the main Bandon to Cork route have all been hit badly. The area by the Munster Arms Hotel has also been under 4 feet of water as has the area by the Old Post Office and the Allin Institute.

It was gut-wrenching to see business people in tears with worry on Thursady evening. They simply didn't know how bad things would get. It was shocking to see the carnage in the town yesterday with busineeses simply 'flooded out'of it. The Bandon Office Supplies company were hit by water at a height of six feet, three inches. Some businesses in the centre of town have had their Christmas stock flooded.

Where do we go from here???
Now, more than ever is it time for our politicial leaders to stand up and be counted. They must do their utmost to ease the burden on the people and business owners of the town. Is there EU / Government funding for such disasters like this? Can the insurance companies set up a temporary office to help deal with insurance calims?

Local people need to support their own local firms now more than ever. We have recently seen a marketing campaign to 'Keep you business in Bandon - Keep Bandon in business' ..... there has never been a more appropriate phrase to use than now.

On a personal note, for those who have suffered a loss, our thoughts and best wishes are with you. Despite all the heartache, it has been heart-warming to see the level of support, the work of volunteers and the various state services coming together to help create a difference. While at the time of writing this, it may seem that we are 'not out of the woods yet' with the expected poor weather for the next few days ... let's hope that things don't get any worse.

Regards,

T Collins