DONEGAL County Council
chairman Cllr Ciaran Brogan has paid tribute to
everyone involved in the response to Storm Desmond.
“From initial notification on Friday morning right
through the weekend and into the early part of this
week the work undertaken by the staff and volunteers
of organisations such as Donegal County Council
through the Roads Service, the Fire Service and the
Civil Defence as well as the Defence Forces, the
Irish Coast Guard and the numerous volunteers all
over the county was tremendous,” he said.
“Many of the staff and volunteers were on call from
early on Friday and every effort was made to protect
life, homes and businesses. Although we were not
able to save every home and business from the
devastation of the flooding, I can honestly say that
the people of Donegal were not found wanting this
weekend," he added.
Donegal County Council's communications team worked
throughout the weekend constantly sharing safety
messages via social media.
They also thanked local media outlets for getting
the information out to the public.
While Inishowen escaped the worst of the weekend
devastation, there was extensive flooding in the
Ballybofey-Stranorlar area, Castlefin and Lifford.
"With stormy conditions set to continue over the
next few days, the council is continuing to appeal
to the public to be vigilant at all times and to
take extra care when out on the roads," the local
authority said in a statement.
Some numbers from the weekend:
- 140 calls to the council's out of hours emergency
number
- Scores more calls received locally by roads staff
and councillors
- 53 flood-related calls to Donegal Fire Service
- 18 Donegal Civil Defence volunteers assisted fire
fighters with a range of duties including
sandbagging and water pumping. |
