FAMILY’S PLEA FOR ASSISTANCE AFTER RIVER FLOODS HOME
FAMILY IN PLEA FOR ASSISTANCE AFTER RIVER FLOODS THEIR HOME
A community is pulling together to help one family recover after a flash flood wrecked havoc in their home.
Sharon and Michael Gethins and their sons Adam and Karl saw their family home near Dromahair become submerged in two feet of water on the night of June 29 th as days of relentless rain culminated in the River Bonet and some of its tributaries to overflow and burst their banks.
The result of this was catastrophic for the Gethins family as they watched on in horror as the water flooded in and destroyed much of the ground floor of their detatched home.
The shock of this event came after years of worry for Sharon and Michael, who had witnessed some cases of flooding since they built their house and moved in in 2002.
Although flooding became a “serious issue”, this latest occurrence has caused significant damage.
On June 29 th - and indeed since that day - community spirit was evident as friends and neighbours flocked to the family’s aid by providing pumps, tractors and brushes to help keep the water at a somewhat manageable level.
After 13 hours of toil, the levels began to drop. It was then that the true extent of the damage was revealed.
Speaking to The Sligo Champion, Sharon Gethins outlined how it had come to this point.
“On Monday 29 th June 2020, our worst nightmare came through,” Ms Gethins said.
“After four days of incessant heavy rainfall, the River Bonet burst its banks along with subsidiaries with water entering through the walls and back door of our home to a depth of two foot.”
The River Bonet rises in the Glenade area and flows through Manorhamilton and Dromahir on its way to Lough Gill. For the Gethins family, the sight of water flooding into their home followed on from years of worry at the prospect of such an event happening.
Ms Gethins says that “flooding on the site became a serious issue” in the years after they built their home. The problem became so bad in the area that insurance companies refused to provide cover - which further exacerbated the worry of local home owners should a major flood happen.
“On a number of occasions, the water levels in the River Bonet and the subsidiaries reached the doorstep of our home, with the result that insurance companies no longer covered flooding and they regarded the area as a flood plain.
From then on, we have lived in fear of rising water levels, and that our beautiful home would be destroyed.”
With inclement weather and heavy rainfall for a number of days, with thundery downpours particularly prominent in the north west, the River Bonet finally burst its banks on June 29 th to the horror of the Gethins family and other local residents.
A major battle ensued around the house with dozens of locals attempting to clear as much water as possible, but it was not enough to prevent significant damage to property. Indeed, Sharon believes it was fortunate that the loss was not even greater.
“The total ground floor was submerged,” Ms Gethins explains.
“Our good neighbours and kind community worked tirelessly for 13 hours with water pumps and brushes in an effort to keep the water at a manageable level.
“When the water subsided, the true devastation was laid bare. The floors, all furniture, all equipment destroyed.
“Apart from the personal loss and devastation suffered by the our family, the flood could have caused a loss of life.
“An ambulance, fire brigade, and Gardai were called to the scene of the flood nearby to rescue a lady in terrible distress.
“She was stranded in her car, and she was taken to Sligo University Hospital.
“This has happened on a number of occasions in the past and the community believe that this flooding issue needs to be addressed urgently in order to prevent a tragedy in the future.”
The River Bonet area in north Leitrim has become a real worry for all local residents, Ms Gethins says. Action is required, she says, to help alleviate the problems which have been evident for some time.
“This flooding has also had an impact on the lives of many neighbours in the area where traffic has been blocked by rising water,” Ms Gethins outlined.
“In an emergency, the access to their houses could be blocked. Livestock and fodder were lost.
“In fact, many carcasses of drowned sheep could be seen in the surrounding area when the water subsided.
“Sadly the Bonet river has not been given the maintenance necessary to prevent an occurrence like this.
“On walking the river bank to where the river enters Lough Gill, one can see serious problems of overgrowth, tree trunks and most disgraceful of all household electrical applicances.”
The Gethins family say they have experienced a huge outpouring of support from friends, neighbours and the wider community in the Dromahair area during, and since, the flooding uprooted their lives.
The GoFundMe page, set up in order to help raise funds to repair the damage, raised over €20,000 in a matter of days.
It also appears to have focussed the minds of policy makers in regard to identifying a longterm solution.
“The Gethins family acknowledge the visits and support of councillors, local authority staff, TDs, the OPW officials and many, many others who are engaged in drawing up a plan of measures for the prevention of further flooding in the Dromahair-Bonet catchment area,” Ms Gethins said.
“The community looks forward to urgent action in this regard,” she added.
“In a time of great pain, hopelessness and distress, the family have been hugely supported by the kindness and generosity of the local community and neighbours.
“This generous community spirit will help us move forward to rebuild our family home and we offer their gratitude and appreciation to our good neighbours, community and friends for their work and financial support.”
Pictured below is the house after the flooding.