Burst pipe problems are causing stress

SDLP representative Gerry Mullan says the aftermath of sub-zero temperatures has caused "devastation" to residents who have lost sentimental, essential and priceless belongings submerged in burst pipe flooding. The financial and emotional impact of the flooding has been so severe, many are seeking medical attention to help cope with the consequences.

The SDLP councillor said: "Such has been the levels of devastation caused by the recent unprecedented situation that many people have been required to seek medical assistance to help them cope with the trauma inflicted upon them."

"Many of those affected do not have any house contents insurance policies to fall back on as they simply can not afford such luxuries living as many of them are on a low income budget with young children to care for. All attempts must now be made to ensure that these people get the badly needed help they deserve right away."

Severe winter weather left 74 Housing Executive homes over Christmas alone in Limavady suffering damaged pipes and flooding. SDLP Alderman Gerry Mullan has now called on the government to be compassionate with restrictions on crisis loan applications. Councillor Mullan says he believes loan constraints are preventing residents from getting immediate help.

He went on: "Bureaucratic red tape should not be allowed to stand in the way of crisis loans or whatever is required to alleviate their suffering. I have already discussed the plight of those affected with DHSS staff both in Limavady and Coleraine as well as with Mr Harry Lynas who is a professional advice worker on such matters at 'LCDI' in Limavady and with East Derry MLA John Dallat who intends to take the matter up with the Minister for Social Development in order to try and secure whatever funding is required to address what is in essence a regional catastrophe."

"Having been involved with a number of families over this past while whose lives have been ravaged as a result of seeing their homes literally falling in around them due to flooding brought on by the recent cold snap, I know just how devastating such an experience can be. The loss of very essential household equipment such as bedding and clothing not to mention those items which are of irreplaceable, sentimental value has left many people not only destitute and distraught but with no means of providing a normal living environment for them and their children even when alternative accommodation is found."

Alderman Mullan continued: "The sub zero temperatures which were so severe and so enduring meant that particularly those people using oil fired central heating could not afford to have their heating on during the night which is the time I believe most of the damage was caused. Even those, however, who had kept their heating on during the night on a timing device have in some cases also been caught out because the heating oil itself thickened because of the low temperatures and as a result could not pass through the filters feeding their oil burners resulting in a failure of the system with the same inevitable result. Those with solid fuel heating systems were somewhat better off in this regard because their fires would still have been generating some heat for quite some time after they were asleep."