Concerns have been raised about recurring flooding in Termonfeckin following Storm Chandra, which combined with high tides led to flooding along the Strand Road and caused significant disruption for residents.
Mayor Michelle Hall has called on the Office of Public Works and Louth County Council to take action to prevent future flooding in the area. During the storm, the Strand Road was impassable, leaving some residents stranded and others forced to use private access routes through The Links and An Grianan to leave the village.
Mayor Hall said:
A Flood Relief Scheme and mitigation works are needed for the Strand Road, Termonfeckin and last year Ged Nash TD and I asked the OPW (who operates & funds it) what plans it had for the mapped flood zone at Seapoint. The response was:
“The Scheme Viability Reviews (SVRs) for Annagassan and Termonfeckin have been completed. As the SVRs for these areas concluded that potentially viable Flood Relief Schemes have been identified, these areas will be brought forward as Flood Relief Projects in due course, through the second tranche of schemes. The OPW will discuss with Louth County Council the optimal means for progressing Flood Relief in these areas.
Localised flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address, and Louth County Council may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources. The Council may apply to the OPW for funding for flood mitigation works under the OPW’s Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.
Mayor Hall said Louth County Council must ensure that Termonfeckin is treated as a priority for flood mitigation and that the OPW provides funding for a full flood relief scheme, including the raising or rebuilding of the bridge at The Links.
She added that as rainfall levels continue to increase due to climate change, Ireland needs to take a more proactive approach to dealing with extreme weather events. She also said coastal erosion, which is impacting communities such as Termonfeckin, must be addressed as part of wider flood prevention planning.
