Businesses in Midleton have experienced “great support” from the public while recovering from the damage caused by Storm Babet.

Homes and businesses suffered huge damage in the South Cork town after a month’s worth of rain was dropped in the space of 24 hours in late October.

Soon after the floods, an Emergency Business Flooding Scheme was announced by the Government to help those affected.

Local Help

A special report from Newstalk Southern Correspondent Jamie O’Hara has found that locals have also played a key role in helping businesses to recover.

Midleton Chamber of Commerce President Adrianna Hegarty said local people have “been amazing”.

“The people of Midleton have been amazing; they have been a great support to us [businesses],” she said.

“They are a great community and we have a big area with a huge hinterland.

“You’re talking about all of the villages and towns around here that have equally been flooded. They have supported us too.”

Ms Hegarty was speaking at a Chamber-led business event in the town called Jingle and Mingle which aimed to bring footfall back to the town.

Stock is seen outside the flooded Lollipop Kids shop in Midleton, Co Cork following flooding from Storm Babet on Ocotber 19th, 2023. Image: Facebook/Lollipop Kids

Some local businesses criticised the lack of supports available to them following October's flash floods in Midleton.

The owner of Bertelli Menswear, Sinead Morrissey, said damages could have been prevented.

“We have been saying for the last three years that [flooding] is happening so often here and we’re going to get in trouble,” she said.

“None of us feel like anything is being done.”

Damages

Ms Morrissey said €100,000 worth of damages were caused to her business alone by Storm Badet which has left “devastation” in Midleton.

She warned that such flooding can not happen again in the town.

“We can't have flooding on Main Street because if we do, 40% of businesses will not reopen and then you will have a collapsed town,” said Ms Morrissey.

“Midleton will be useless if this happens again, so hopefully this will give it a sense of urgency.

“We need to have an individual emergency plan for Midleton because the possibility of this happening again is really high.”

Ms Morrissey added that gaps in the towns flood defences “needs to be filled” immediately.

Main Image: Flooding in Midleton, Cork. Image: Cork County Council