by Louise Doyle
A DUNFANAGHY resident who was trapped in his home on Monday when his housing estate flooded during Storm Debi, has said he is “frustrated” by the lack of action to address the recurring issue.
Geoffrey Black has been living in Port Dale estate for seven years.
He was one of a number of residents and families, including medical dependents, who were blocked in their own homes during the period of heavy rain in the latest incident.
Children were unable to get to school and safety concerns were also raised when the estate’s ESB box became covered in water.
Emergency services attended the scene to help pump the water away from the homes.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Mr Black said he and other residents are “fed up”.
“The outside of our house floods three or four times a year. We’re here seven years but this has been ongoing for about 20 years, long before we moved in. The area has always flooded in the whole time the estate has been built. Everyone is fed up.”
After an episode of flooding three years ago, Mr Black contacted Donegal County Council to plead with them to do something to alleviate the situation, but, to date, nothing has been done.
“We dread heavy showers because we know it will lead to a deluge of water outside our home. I believe the ground has dropped a bit, there is a gradual slope. At the lowest point there is probably a gradual fall of three foot. The road before the entrance to our estate also slopes so surface water runs in.
“I’m very frustrated. The water is running down the road and it is not being diverted. The water is flowing out of gullies instead of into them.”
Mr Black said he believed the root of the problem was a lack of infrastructure in place when houses are built.
“More houses are being built in the area and I know there is going to be more surface water from these estates into ours. That is the problem, private developers are building these properties and there is no infrastructure.”
Cathaoirleach of the Glenties Municipal District, Cllr Michael McClafferty said this is not the first time the area has flooded and residents have been left concerned for their homes and safety.
He said the storm created “havoc”, with water levels reaching up to four ft high.
“The Port Dale estate was completely flooded and the fire brigade was there to get the residents out because they were blocked in.
“Young children missed school and people with medical appointments were unable to get out of their house.
“This area keeps flooding and we are not getting the money for it, or a plan in place to prevent these homes from flooding.
“It is not acceptable,” said Cllr McClafferty.
Emergency services were on hand in Creeslough, Falcarragh and Dunfanaghy to help flooded areas following a lengthy period of heavy rain.
Cllr McClafferty praised the emergency services and council workers for their actions.
“Emergency services, particularly the fire service, have been out in the area in Falcarragh, Dunfanaghy and Creeslough, and they spent the day helping with flooded areas.
“These workers, including the council workers, were out with the rain battering off them trying to protect local people and their homes,” said Cllr McClaffery.
A spokesperson for Donegal County Council said: “At about 6.15 am on November 13, Glenties Fire Brigade was alerted to flooding at a premises in Cashel Ardara, Killybegs Fire Brigade also responded. Both brigades left the scene some six hours later.”
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