Heavy rain overwhelmed a storm drain system culvert in Skibbereen, leading to the flooding of homes and premises at Bridge Street in the town, according to Cork County Engineer Kevin Morey.
The new culvert, at an area known as The Cutting, is part of an ongoing project following on from the town's main flood defence project.
It is near completion, but not complete yet. Mr Morey said that had it been complete, what happened would not have happened.
Grills for the culvert were due to be fitted yesterday, but work was deferred because of the Status Red warning.
Responding to criticism that a storm drain outside the Eldon Hotel was closed and had it been opened the damage might have been less, Mr Morey said the flooding happened during a Status Red warning.
He said it would have been dangerous to send staff out until it was safe.
This shouldn't be happening in Skibbereen.Millions spent on flood protection.The entire town should be dry even in this intense rainfall. Part of me is not surprised. The flood committee flagged that this area needed more protection.OPW need to provide answers. #StormEllen pic.twitter.com/pPr061LOz9
— Christopher O’Sullivan TD (@COSullivanTD) August 19, 2020
Earlier, a local TD said there were "serious questions to answer" over how parts of Bridge Street were badly affected by intense rainfall last night after a flood relief scheme was completed in the town three years ago.
Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Sarah McInerney, Fianna Fáil TD Christopher O'Sullivan said 21 homes and business have been seriously affected by the rainfall and "they deserve better".
Mr O'Sullivan said: "Tens of millions was spent on the flood relief scheme ... it is just not good enough that taxpayers money was spent on what was called a state-of-the-art scheme that did not work."
New grill fitted today to culvert blamed for last night's flooding at Bridge Street #Skibbereen - work had to be postponed yesterday because of Status Red wind warning according to @Corkcoco @rtenews pic.twitter.com/9MoDobGllp
— JennïeØSullivân (@OSullivanJennie) August 20, 2020
"We were told it would cater for a one-in-1,000-year event," he said.
"Yes, we did have intense rainfall last night, but this is exactly the type of situation that this flood relief scheme in Skibbereen was meant to cater for and it is just not good enough."
Mr O'Sulivan said he will be raising the issue with his Government colleagues, Patrick O'Donovan and Darragh O'Brien.
He also said his party colleague Michael McGrath will be visiting the area next week to view the damage.
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