donegaldaily.com – Workmen in Letterkenny today
EXPERTS in dealing with flood defences have spent today working in the grounds of Letterkenny General Hospital in a bid to prevent a repeat of July’s devastating floods.
Workmen erected sandbags and brought in a digger as today’s downpours sent the burn which flows through the hospital soaring towards dangerous levels.
There was widespread flooding on roads throughout Donegal today as weather forecasters predicted up to 35mm of rain.
Showers are continuing in some areas but the worst of the downpours are over for today.
Anti-flood experts moved back into the grounds of the hospital first thing this morning after heavy overnight rain.
The flood defences were erected after the €20M disaster at the new wing of the hospital at the end of July.
In that event 50mm of rain fell in just 90 minutes.
Although today’s rainfall wasn’t as bad, hospital managers were taking no chances.
CCTV and specialist alarm equipment has also been installed on the small river.
“We are taking no chances with such downpours,” said one hospital insider.
“There was heavy rain predicted and it did arrive but all the excellent work over the past seven weeks paid off today.”