FLOODING has yet again hit Fermanagh, with the Derrychara Link in Enniskillen a particular trouble spot.
The road that connects the Erneside Shopping Centre and the Tesco store has been closed on numerous occasions since February 18, with Rivers Agency staff bringing in special pumps to remove the excess water and prevent damage to local businesses.
A Rivers Agency spokesperson explained they have had 12 flood reports over the past two weeks, two of these related to the Derrychara Link.
“As a result of the recent period of wet weather the levels in Lough Erne are rising. Rivers Agency was made aware of flooding to the Derrychara Link on Tuesday 18 February and commenced pumping at 7.00 am until nightfall, pumping recommenced at 7.00am on Wednesday and is still continuing. DRD Roads Service have closed the link road to allow pumping operations to be undertaken.
“Localised flood walls and a sump were constructed following the severe floods that occurred in November 2009, to enable pumping to minimise the impact on businesses.
“Rivers Agency has three pumps on site at Derrychara Link and staff have been in full time attendance since 7.00am on Wednesday both day and night.
“Rivers Agency is not aware of any further flooding issues in the county where pumping has been required.
“Water is currently being discharged at a rate of 316 cubic metres per second by ESB from their hydroelectric power station at Cliff this action assists in the management of water levels in Lough Erne.”
While the Lough Erne levels are high for this time of year they remain half a metre lower than the levels back on November 26/27, 2009.
Liam Smyth, a manager at Island Interiors admitted the business was quite badly affected by the flooding, especially on the Thursday of last week.
“The road was basically closed from 9.30am until late that evening and it just put people off coming towards this part of the town. The flood was quite severe.
“It was close enough to our door and the volume increased as the day wore on.
“If you didn’t see it you would have been shocked how much it increased, by 1/2 o’clock it was quite bad.
“I certainly would have been wary driving through it.
“February is a quiet month at the best of times so this certainly doesn’t help things.
“It shouldn’t really have happened, with the severe flooding years ago I thought that this problem had been rectified but I suppose that’s life.”
While the pumping has removed the worst of the flooding on Monday there was still some problems on the road.
“There was slight flooding. I can see the pumps working, but it looks as if they are being more protective the shopping centre than us.
“It looked like they were pumping away from it and towards us, that’s what it seemed like was happening anyway.”
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