Counting the cost of Storm Ophelia
MAJOR CLEAN UP AFTER ONE OF THE WORST STORMS IN MANY YEARS
THE clean up operation following storm Ophelia began within hours of the winds settling over Louth last week.
Towns and villages across the county were deserted as schools, shops and business shut ahead of the storm arriving along the north east coastline.
Sandbags were made available by the local authority in some of the areas more vulnerable to flooding, including Blackrock where homes and properties braced for the potential damage.
Thankfully a feared storm surge from the Irish sea did not materialise, and the coastal village escaped the worst of the storm.
There was widespread criticism of those who flouted the severe weather warnings issued by Met Eireann, with a number of incidents reported in north Louth.
Emergency services were on alert as a number of wind surfers were spotted in the waters off the north Louth coast.
Greenore coastguard, the Rescue 116 along with Clogherhead Life Boat an d coastguard, and the gardai all responded to the calls. Videos also emerged online of swimmers in the waters at Templetown beach, despite the extensive warnings.
Elsewhere a spokesman for Louth County Council confirmed they had received 44 calls in relation to incidents associated with storm Ophelia.
At one point there were 18 roads closed, including the old Dundalk to Newry Road at Ravensdale by an Garda Siochana following the fatal accident which tragically involved local man Fintan Goss.
The accident was believed to have been caused by a tree falling and colliding with the vehicle.
The local authority confirmed they were able to reopen around fifteen of the affected roads by the end of the following day after debris was cleared.
‘All available staff were engaged in the clean-up operation and assessments were being carried out by technical staff on a number of trees that were thought to have been vulnerable after the storm,’ said the spokesman.
One water treatment plant was affected by the storm, and remained out of operation until the following evening due to lack of electricity supply. However the local authority were able to connect a temporary supply which was put in place.
There were some specific areas of damage including a traffic light blown down on Hill Street bridge, and some fencing down in gardens across the area, but overall structural damage was not as bad as feared.
Unlike the south of the country County Louth was spared the worst of power outtages, with just small pockets of electricity supplies reported to have been affected in areas around Blackrock, and some parts of mid Louth.
Schools across Louth remained closed the following day as the clean up and inspection of damage began