‘There’s no coming back from this,’ Midleton businesswoman says following flood damage

THE community of Midleton has been left reeling following Wednesday’s devastating flooding.

Business owners in the town this morning commenced a mammoth clean-up operation, with many premises significantly damaged.

On Main St, Eleanor Dunlea of Lollipop Kids children’s footwear shop described the damage as “totally devastating”.

“There’s no coming back from this. I can’t see myself ever opening again,” she told The Echo.

Ms Dunlea said more needs to be done to protect Midleton from future flooding.

“Mallow, Fermoy are dry as a bone and they’re all flood zones.

“We’re here in Midleton paying big rates, believe you me, and this is what we get for it.

“This is the worst I’ve ever seen and I’m working in this town 30 years. I’ve never seen it as bad.

“I knew it was going to be bad this morning when I was coming in, but I didn’t think it was going to be this bad. Shelves were off the walls, the lot, stock on the floor,” she said.

“We’ve no flood cover here in Midleton. It’s soul-destroying,” said Ms Dunlea.

Next door, HS2 hair salon had its front window blown in from the pressure of the floodwater.

“I don’t even think you could put words to it,” Laurie O’Donnell, one of the directors at the salon, said of how she was feeling.

“Our front window is gone, the contents of the salon are gone, the girls are just devastated.

“We have a great team around us, they’re in helping… everyone is just shocked.”

Ms O’Donnell said HS2 also has no flood cover.

“Even interruption to business isn’t covered. Nothing, not a cent.

“We’re not the only ones affected by that, I’d imagine everyone else will be the same,” she said.

Melissa Maverley of the Brow Bar Boutique, was similarly left “completely devastated” by the damage done to the business on Broderick St, just off Main St.

“My insurance company won’t cover me which is just devastating because it really is starting again from scratch.

“Girls had to be let go. We’re just hoping to get the show back on the road as soon as possible,” she said.

Despite the devastation caused by the flooding, the spirit of collegiality and sense of community was palpable in the town today.

“It’s a great community,” Ms Maverley said. “The people of Midleton will always stick together.”

Among the many good samaritans in the town today was father and daughter duo Kevin and Heather Campbell, who were handing out free hot drinks and sandwiches to people.

“Heather’s school is closed, so we thought we’d come out for the morning,” Kevin told The Echo.

The general feeling among people in the town was one of anxiety, he said.

“It’s really tough. We’ve friends whose houses are totally destroyed… It’s really, really tough on people and a lot of people can’t get flood insurance as well so they’re really, really worried,” he said.

Meanwhile, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare (CKCH) said it was “assessing the impact of flooding on a number of HSE services in Midleton”.

A number of residents of Midleton Community Hospital had to move within the complex on Wednesday afternoon as water entered part of the premises.

“Our teams are assessing the damage to that part of the community hospital, but it may be some time before it is available for occupation again.

“We want to reassure residents and their families that all residents are safe and being cared for, and the team at Midleton Community Hospital are working to contact all families directly today,” CKCH said.

Residents of the Owenacurra Centre were also moved safely on Wednesday, and were being accommodated nearby while CKCH said it would “assess the damage to the centre”.

The McAuley Day Centre, public health nursing clinics, dental services, and physiotherapy services located on the grounds of the community hospital remained closed today.

Cork County Council said it is “continuously evaluating the impact of the storm and response”.

“Council officials are working closely with emergency services and local communities to address immediate concerns, including flooding, road closures, and infrastructure damage.

“Efforts are concentrated on restoring essential services, securing affected areas, and supporting residents and businesses who have been impacted by the severe weather continued.”

The local authority said a status yellow rain warning for Cork, valid from 11pm tonight to 9am tomorrow, “may lead to further localised flooding and dangerous travelling conditions”.