Two Years On, Midleton Residents Demand Flood Defences

Almost two years after the devastating floods that swept through Midleton and East Cork, residents gathered outside Cork County Council to demand urgent action on flood defences.

The 2023 disaster, caused by Storm Babet, brought unprecedented rainfall to the region, with Midleton receiving 126 millimetres in just 36 hours, nearly a month’s worth of rain in a single weekend. The Owenacurra River burst its banks, inundating the town centre and causing widespread damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. More than 400 homes and 300 businesses were affected, with estimated damages of around €200 million.

Residents say that despite the scale of the disaster, little has been done to strengthen defences or protect the town from future flooding. At the time, high river levels combined with low tides had prevented effective drainage, a vulnerability that has yet to be fully addressed. Emergency services, including the Civil Defence, responded during the floods, but many residents and businesses, particularly those without flood insurance, suffered serious losses.

In response to the flooding, the Irish government introduced the Individual Property Protection scheme, allocating €5.8 million to help homeowners and businesses install flood protection measures. Progress has been slow.

Standing outside the council, residents voiced their fears of further flooding and demanded faster action.