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The Aftermath

Pics: Limerick residents return home to assess flood devastation

Junior Minister Jan O’Sullivan said the flooding was of such magnitude that it requires a national response.
4.11pm, 2 Feb 2014
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(Image: Niall Carson/PA)

RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY flooding in Limerick yesterday started to return to their homes today to assess the damage done.

The army, emergency services and local organisations were continuing to deal with the aftermath of the severe flooding cause by yesterday’s storm, mainly in the King’s Island area of the city.

Water levels remain high and the worst affected areas are cordoned off. The flooding has been described as “unprecedented”.

Earlier today Limerick City and County Manager Conn Murray met with local public representatives to brief them on developments.

“I understand the great shock experienced by residents especially the elderly,” he said. “Nobody in the city, not even the oldest resident of King’s Island, can ever recall such severe flooding. We had our preparations made and had been working to shore up defences for days in the areas considered most at risk of flooding in the city and county but the volume of water was such that many of our defences were simply unable to cope.”

Pics: Limerick residents return home to assess flood devastation
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  • Limerick flood clean-up

    The army and fire service lay sand bags in Saint Marys Park area of Limerick.Source: Sean Curtin

  • Limerick flood clean-up

    Source: Sean Curtin

  • Limerick flood clean-up

    Brian O'Brien shows the damage done by floods inside his house. Source: Sean Curtin

  • Limerick flood clean-up

    Kieran Hogan, Oliver Plunkett Street gets a lift home from the army.Source: Sean Curtin

  • Limerick flood clean-up

    Kieran Hogan, Oliver Plunkett Street gets a lift home.Source: Sean Curtin

  • Limerick flood clean-up

    Kieran Hogan at his home on Oliver Plunkett Street.Source: Sean Curtin

  • Limerick flood clean-up

    Kieran Hogan, shows the damage done by the floods to his home. Source: Sean Curtin

  • Limerick flood clean-up

    Locals ferry people in and out of Saint Marys park by boast as emergency services try and pump water out of the area.Source: Sean Curtin

  • Limerick flood clean-up

    Siobhan Ryan, assesses the damage at her home.Source: Sean Curtin

Minister for Housing and Planning Jan O’Sullivan said today the flooding was of such magnitude that it requires a national response.

“Communities have been devastated by the volume of water and hundreds of homes have been flooded,” she said. “A rapid, co-ordinated national response is necessary to ensure that people can return to their homes and all the issues arising from this unprecedented flooding are addressed.”

She added that she had spoken to her colleagues in government to “impress on them the seriousness of the situation”.

“High tides will still pose a serious threat of more flooding this week, but we now also have to focus on the immediate steps we need to take in the coming days and weeks to assist families in Limerick.”

Read: The aftermath: “Nobody in the city can ever recall such severe flooding”>

Photos: Rescue efforts under way after severe flood emergency>

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Michelle Hennessy
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