Hit by Storm Chandra? Financial aid for families and businesses now open
Fresh details have been released about financial aid for families and businesses affected by Storm Chandra.
The severe weather event hit the country on Tuesday, with hundreds of schools closed for the day and 20,000 homes, businesses and farms losing electricity.
On Wednesday, Met Éireann warned of further flooding and added an additional weather warning for parts of the country, as the after affects of the storm become visible.
Fresh details have been released about financial aid for families and businesses affected by Storm Chandra. Pic: Tom Honan
The Emergency Response Payment was previously known as the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme, and is available for households who cannot pay the costs of essential needs and repairs following severe weather events.
As of Tuesday, households in Wexford, Wicklow and Dublin directly affected by Storm Chandra could apply for the payment.
The payment can cover emergency income support payments for food, clothing and personal items; repairs to home and essentials and structural damage.
The severe weather event hit the country on Tuesday, with hundreds of schools closed for the day and 20,000 homes, businesses and farms losing electricity. Pic: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
Stage 1 of applications closes on Wednesday, February 6, and is for immediate aid. Stage 2 is for damage to essential items and contents, and closes three months after the event.
Stage 3 is for longer-term financial support, and closes six months after the event. Stage 2 and 3 are means-tested.
Applications can be made by filling out the application forms, which can be accessed here.
The Forty Foot at Sandycove, Co Dublin, during Storm Chandra. Pic: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos
Speaking on Tuesday night in Dáil Éireann, Taoiseach Micheál Martin pledged immediate payments and assistance.
He said the worst damage had been recorded in Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford and Cork, with towns including Bunclody and Enniscorthy suffered severe flooding, with water pouring into homes and businesses.
Some of the areas which were worst hit by the floods saw almost half of their average rainfall for January fall in just 24 hours.
Dublin’s Phoenix Park was deluged by a staggering 40mm of rain in just 24 hours, nearly two-thirds of January’s usual rainfall dumped in a single day as Storm Chandra soaked the country.
Following on from the storm, however, things aren’t looking up immediately — as Met Éireann have confirmed that five counties in the east and southeast will be under a yellow warning for more rain on Thursday (January 29).
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