HOMES HAVE BEEN evacuated in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford as Storm Chandra has subjected the town to what locals say is its worst flooding in a generation.

It’s left homes and businesses underwater, cars stranded, power cut and the town centre closed off after the River Slaney burst its banks earlier today.

Local councillor Jackser Owens told The Journal that a young family with a newborn baby had to be rescued from their flooded apartment amid the chaos this morning.

Six men and a boat from Slaney Search and Rescue managed to rescue the young couple and child’s grandmother.

“The lady rang me saying that her family were trapped in an apartment on the quay,” the Independent politician said, “I rang Slaney Search and Rescue and we had to get her out in a boat. It was chaos but they got them out safely.”

Rescue crews in Enniscorthy today Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Owens added that the family were in fear for their safety due to the rising water levels.

“They were terrified but fair play to Search and Rescue volunteers, they did a fantastic job.”

Owens described how locals were living in a “nightmare” amid today’s severe flooding.

“I’ve never seen anything like this and I’m 71,” the councillor said.

“These people are going through crisis today. You’ve people moving stuff upstairs because they’ve been flooded so many times.”

Planning struggles for flood scheme

Fine Gael Senator Cathal Byrne has told RTÉ’s News at One that all of the town’s worst fears “have come true”.

“We now have a situation where the main thoroughfare through the town is now completely covered by water. We’re fast approaching high tide and a record,” said Byrne, who is based in the town.

He said there are about 350 houses directly impacted, together with the main thoroughfare of local businesses in the town.

There have been nine major floods in Enniscorthy since 2000.

In that year, a flood relief scheme was proposed for the town. There was €55m allocated to the project after further flooding in 2014, Byrne said.

“But unfortunately, despite having no local objectors, and despite having cross-party support politically, locally, it hasn’t been possible to get planning permission,” Byrne said.

The River Slaney burst its banks in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford today. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

There was a planning application made to the government in 2021, but this was rejected on the basis that the protected freshwater pearl mussel was present in the water.

“Therefore the water couldn’t be touched as regards dredging, as regards glass walls,” Byrne said.

“People are frustrated. They’re fed up. They don’t understand how a scheme that has €55m allocated to it cannot get planning permission, and we really need to see legislative change in this area.”

Owens, the local councillor, told The Journal that “human beings are more important” than the freshwater pearl and urged the enaction of the scheme without any further delay. “People can’t get insurance for flood coverage,” Owens said.

He added that, following earlier flood events in 2000 and 2018, residents were told that “devastating” scenes such as today’s would never be repeated.

“This should never have happened. We had plans for a flood defence relief scheme and it has not enacted,” Owens said.

Water levels

Official data from the Office of Public Works shows that the Slaney has almost equalled its record high water level of almost 4.7 metres, which it hit during the notorious 2000 flooding.

Labour TD for Wexford George Lawlor estimated that it’s the 16th time since 2001 that the town was flooded, which he said should “shame” the Government.

Lawlor added that communities like Enniscorthy are “paying the price” for inaction on flood schemes.

Successive Governments have failed to deliver the flood protection works Enniscorthy desperately needs. As our climate changes, storms and extreme rainfall are becoming more frequent and more severe. Pretending this is business as usual is reckless.

The deputy added that an “overhaul” is needed for emergency preparedness, including a national flood warning system so families and businesses get timely and reliable information.

Planning struggles for flood scheme