As the cleanup from storm Babet continues, families across West Waterford have been left devastated following flash flooding yesterday. One month's worth of rain fell across Cork and Waterford in the space of 24 hours.
Flooding has caused widespread damage across West Waterford, particularly in Tallow, Knockanore, Clashmore, Kinsalebeg, and Dungarvan.
Speaking earlier on Deise Today, Publican Aidan O'Rourke says the events unfolded quickly.
"I went away and came back in half an hour and literally in 30 minutes the village (Tallow) was starting to flood. Very quickly the drains were blocked, debris started to get under the bridges and they became blocked and started overflowing. By half ten that night, it was up to our waist on the street."
Leona Ahearne lives in Tallow. She is continuing to assess the damage caused by storm Babet. Speaking earlier on Déise Today, she said she is still coming to terms with the damage.
"I was crying, Damien. Our homes were destroyed. I have my daughter and son-in-law living with me as they are waiting for their house to be renovated. All their new furniture was inside my sitting room as I was storing it for them. We were trying to pull stuff out and pull stuff in. It was just horrific Damien..horrific.
"Last night, we didn't go near the sitting room. We just couldn't because the floors were drowned so we put in the dehumidifier. Now we have to try and take out couches and all my daughter's stuff for her new house and see how bad things really are. We need to do our two bedrooms as well and see how much damage is done there.
Damage caused:
Flooding in Clashmore
Flooding in Tallow
Local councillor Mairead Tobin also spoke of the catastrophic effects caused by the flooding on Déise Today.
"I have never in my years seen the flooding that has happened. There was a relatively new estate in Tallow with houses flooded there yesterday with water coming in the back and front doors.
"It was terrifying. I don't know if anybody has sent you footage to see the water rising with people inside their houses staying on the top level afraid to come downstairs."
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, TD, has confirmed that the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is available to provide support to those living in properties directly affected by flooding in Counties Cork and Waterford following Storm Babet.
The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme prevents hardship by providing income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged from flooding and severe weather events and who are unable to meet costs for essential needs, household items, and structural repair.
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