ANGER LEVELS RISING

'Sick to teeth' as water devastates home and livelihoods yet again, Hundreds of thousands worth of damage as huge clean-up kicks into action

- CIARA O'LOUGHLIN

RESIDENTS and business owners in Enniscorthy are "sick to the teeth" of floods devastating their homes and livelihoods.

Around 350 properties in the Co Wexford town were affected on Monday during Storm Chandra, when the River Slane burst its banks. Dozens of families had to be evacuated, with some residents even being saved by rescue teams from the second floor of their homes.

A massive clean-up operation is now underway in the town. Yesterday, roads on either side of the river were blocked, flooded cars were abandoned, and restaurants, pubs, and shops were closed.

Maureen Peare, 75, had to move into her sister's house after the ground floor of her home on the Island Road was completely devastated by the flood.

She said: "This is my sixth [ flood], the first one I had was in 1965 and that was the worst one, that was six or seven feet.

"My whole ground floor is flooded. My suite is on a coffee table and a television table, my two armchairs are in my front sitting room window, I couldn't move my wardrobe or dressing table." Also on the Island Road, where all residents had to flee after over four feet of water tumbled into their homes, Mary Ellen and Helena McNamara were sweeping the roads of debris.

PRECIOUS

The sisters grew up in one of the terraced houses, where their 90-year-old brother now lives.

Helena said: "Ten years ago it happened before, at what point do they decide enough is enough? People's lives are important, even if their life is not at risk this happens every time we have huge rain they are going through this.