Unprecedented flood is ‘hammer blow for town’

Unprecedented flood is ‘hammer blow for town’

8 November 2023

FAMILY-OWNED businesses have been at the heart of Downpatrick’s economy for generations, with many suffering the brunt of last week’s destructive flooding.

McCartan’s Shoes in Market Street is a third generation business, while just a few yards away, the family name sits proudly above their popular sports shop.

Brothers Paul, Mel and Ciaran McCartan and their sister, Nuala O’Reilly, are ensconced in the business, but were left distraught and emotional wrecks by last week’s event.

Like their neighbours in Market Street and St Patrick’s Avenue, the family could only watch on helplessly and, as the flood water rose, count the cost.

“We have traded all our lives with no handouts from anyone, but unfortunately, this time it’s different. This time all the traders affected by this terrible flood are going to need help,” Paul said.

Mr McCartan shares the view of his fellow traders that an urgent and sufficient financial package must put in place to ensure businesses not only survive in the short term, but can reopen as soon as is practically as possible

His thoughts turned to his 91 year-old father, Seamus, who said in all his time living and working in Downpatrick, he had never seen flooding on such a devastating scale.

“It will take a few days for us all to get sorted. This is a hammer blow for the town,” Paul continued.

“We are a third generation business and this is the worst flooding in my lifetime. The scale is unprecedented but the big problem is that many business do not have flood cover as part of their insurance.

“People are numb, it’s horrendous. It’s really hard to find the words at a time like this. Many people are seeing lifetime of work literally washed away. nWe will see what happens over the coming weeks but it’s going to be difficult. We have come through difficult times before and it is is difficult to know what will happen.”

Like many in the business community, Paul’s emotions got the better of him.

“It is a struggle to hold it together,” he admitted. “There is water in both shops, but thankfully no silt and dirt. We are going to have to strip the whole place out and power wash it and take advice from environmental health officials.”

He praised Downpatrick’s community spirit which saw people help each other since the flood hit.

“The community spirt has been magnificent and there is a lot of goodwill. Everyone is rallying together and that says a lot about this town and its people,” he said.

“There will be difficult times ahead, especially for the independents who may struggle to open again. If funding is not made available, Market Street could become a wasteland, but I really hope that does not happen.

“Traders in Newry are also in the same boat after a large part of the city flooded. We are all seeking help and it’s vital it is made available.

“Water systems have been ignored for 40 or 50 years and there has been no investment and there is a very real fear that something like could happen again.”

He said that with winter yet to come, no one can say there will not be another catastrophic flood.

“Engineers cannot give you a guarantee that there will be no more flooding and i understand that. We traders put our heart and soul into our businesses; it’s our livelihood and then this happens..

He added: “In the back of your mind you wonder is it worthwhile going on. We own our buildings and while it is difficult to keep going and make this work after such a setback, we will keep going. But it won’t be easy.

“We need financial support from the government. There is simply no other way forward.”