FLOOD VICTIMS IN Cork will be given emergency cash to pay for food, clothes and other essentials as the recovery effort continues.

A relief programme run by the Irish Red Cross will give cash grants of up to €1000 to some of those affected, with the first payments expected to be made later this week.

Rebecca Thorn, a spokesperson for the Red Cross said some households have suffered serious damaged in the worst-affected areas, such as Douglas and Clonakilty.

The ground floor of most homes in Clonakilty is damaged. Everything’s wiped out, from floors to furniture to personal possessions. If you think about inches of water going through your kitchen, for instance – that’s going to take out any food you have, fridges, any electrical items are going to be gone.

The emergency grants are to pay for food, clothes, and items such as dehumidifiers to begin reversing the damage until properties can be assessed for insurance, Thorn said.

Households can apply for relief at the local social welfare office, which will then assess the most needy and forward their details on to the Irish Red Cross.

The effort is being funded by a public appeal. Thorn said the response so far had been good, but stressed that many households have been affected.

“Some of the areas hit have experienced flooding like this two to four times, and for them it’s very frustrating,” she said.

Red Cross volunteers were called out by health authorities in the immediate aftermath of the floods, as the charity has 4×4 vehicles which were able to access areas the HSE ambulances could not reach.

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