Remembering Storm Babet: The Day Flood Waters Devastated Midleton
Just eight minutes was all it took for flood waters to wreak havoc on Midleton’s main street a year ago. The area was under an orange rainfall warning, but the speed of the flooding caught many off guard.
Main Street was hit the hardest, with businesses and homes on the ground floors suffering the most damage. The Owenacurra River and the Dungourney River overflowed, causing chaos throughout the town.
Over 600 homes and 300 businesses were flooded, totaling nearly €200 million in damages. Residents like Damian and Laragh O’Brien of Fox & Co. and Flamingo stores were left to pick up the broken pieces.
The community rallied together, and state aid arrived, but the road to recovery was long. The government announced a flood relief scheme with an estimated cost of over €50 million, aiming for completion by 2031.
As Midleton rebuilds, the memories of Storm Babet remain, serving as a reminder to be prepared for whatever nature may bring next.