‘I thought the house was gone’
RESIDENTS of The Woodlands estate in Ballytivnan were fearful that their homes would be destroyed as a result of severe flooding on Sunday morning.
The fire service, residents, Councillors Thomas Healy and Chris MacManus were among those helping the clean-up operation all day Sunday.
It’s not the first time the estate has been flooded, as 2015 floods damaged a number of homes in the area. Luckily, no homes were flooded this time, but residents say they are constantly living in fear with the threat of floods increasing with more extreme weather conditions.
Michael Farrell, Chairperson of the Resident’s Association said: “It was panic stations here yesterday morning from about half past eight until about half past five yesterday evening. Only for Thomas Healy and the fire service we would have been bogged down with water. I got onto Thomas around 8.30am about sandbags. The fire service were here about 11.15am.
“There’s no water here now, the place was mayhem. From No. 16 up, they were devastated thinking the place would be flooded. With high tide last night as well we were on alert from 9pm. A big thank you to the fire service and Thomas Healy. There’s only 30 houses here and it’s time the corporation did something before it’s too late,” he told The Sligo Champion.
The area began to flood early in the morning, and it wasn’t long before residents could not longer leave their homes. They thought their houses would be destroyed.
“They were very worried. People living in number 27 down were very worried. The corporation were meant to come back and do jobs on this before, but we heard nothing back. This is ongoing since 2013.
“Enough is enough. This is the third time we’ve had bad flooding here. Every time there’s a flood warning, we’re on high alert. We can’t be living like that. It’s alright for people living on a height, we’re in a flood zone,” Michael said.
“It was a very close call. Climate change is changing, it is going to happen. Let’s sit down with the corporation and not talk facts, let’s get something done. Don’t leave us in the lurch until something happens.
“We want to sit down at the table with Sligo County Council now so they can tell us what they’re going to do, not next year, or the year after. This year.”
Another resident, Linda Leigh, said she thought her house would be gone: “I was terrified. When I saw the water rising, it was absolutely terrifying. I thought the house was gone. It was very bad. I went for a coffee at a neighbour’s at 20 to 10. When I was coming back I had to ring my daughter in Collooney, go down to Dunnes and get a pair of wellingtons.
“My garden was completely flooded. The fire engines pumped it out. When you sink a lot of money into your home, to lose it would be awful. “
In response, Sligo County Council said: “Sligo County Council will be meeting with the Office of Public Works this week to discuss the issue of flooding in Woodlands/Ballytivnan area.”