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Big freeze hampers flood repairs


Fifteen families in the South Galway area who have been out of their homes since before Christmas due to flooding are now faced with further delays in getting to grips with the damage as ice and snow further compound the situation with the current cold snap.
County Councillor Bridie Willers, who herself was affected by the flooding and had to leave her home, has highlighted the plight that residents in South Galway affected by floods late last year now have to endure.
“We are still out of our houses and in fact following the floods, the frost has made the roads more treacherous and our homes are not accessible so it makes it harder to get back in. It really has compounded our problems. Having said that, the floods are receding but the flood waters that remain there are freezing over. We’re at a dead end really and we are all just hoping that the weather improves,” Councillor Willers acknowledged.
She explained that the big freeze is holding up the process for those planning to do repairs and return home following the flooding, as frost and ice slows the drying process and also causes problems with access routes, especially in rural areas.
“Most of the people that are out of their houses are just now coming to grips with the extent of the damage and are just getting around to doing the repairs. With the freezing temperatures it takes longer for the houses to dry out. It’s difficult but we’ll have to keep plodding away,” Councillor Willers remarked.
She explained that farmers who had been affected by the flooding or cut off by it prior to Christmas still face fodder issues as access to their farms and to their stock is limited with the icy roads. In addition, water supplies are curtailed with frozen taps.
“And it’s not over yet,” Councillor Willers added. “It’s a very slow process. For the farmers, they are still hampered by the ice. We will have to be optimistic or we won’t be able to get through this,” she concluded.
Meanwhile, gardaí in Gort are urging motorists to take particular care in and around the Gort area as treacherous conditions continue in the area with minor collisions recorded due to icy roads.
They advised that while gritting is taking place that motorists should still remain a safe distance away from the vehicles in front of them and to reduce their speed.

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