Heavy rainfall earlier this week sparked fears of a repeat of the problems associated with last winter’s serious flooding, resulting in renewed calls for the council to take immediate steps to ensure homes are secured and the public prepared for whatever the coming winter brings.
A flyer for members of the public, promised last January, outlining what to do in the event of heavy flooding or freezing conditions, is currently being prepared by Westmeath County Council, with a draft to be ready by the end of September.
However no date has yet been fixed for its circulation.
The leaflet will include emergency numbers, advice on what to do in the event of home flooding such as how to deal with electrical issues, measures to take in the event of freezing conditions, and information on the road gritting schedule.
Crucially, it will advise homeowners against leaving taps running in an attempt to prevent pipes freezing, a phenomenon which led to severe water shortages last winter.
Meanwhile new efforts are under way in Athlone to prepare measures to reduce the impact of flooding in the town, as heavy rain once again rendered the homes of residents of Slí an Aifrinn, and the Leinster Terrace and Central Terrace areas of Northgate Street, under water this week.
Director of services Barry Kehoe confirmed yesterday that a list of measures to reduce the impact of flooding will be presented to local councillors at this Tuesday’s Athlone Area meeting.
And a meeting with residents of the Northgate Street area is to take place today [Friday], after the homes of several residents of Central Terrace and Leinster Terrace were flooded earlier this week.
It was Cllr Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran who raised both the issue of the information leaflet and the plight of the Northgate Street residents this week.
“I raised this issue on Monday as I know Northgate Street was going to flood, and Slí an Aifrinn was also badly flooded on Monday. In fairness to the council they are out there cleaning gulleys. It is time we took a look at the flooding issue. There are a lot of elderly people living in Slí an Aifrinn,” he added.
