Pic: Christy Farrell
The Slaney was at very high levels over the weekend following heavy rain.

FOR THE third time this year, Enniscorthy was put on high alert after heavy rain and high tides caused the Slaney to swell dramatically over the weekend, with the risk of flooding a real danger up until lunchtime yesterday (Monday).

This is the third close call for the town after previous scares at the beginning of the year and in June, ironically just days before the town’s new Flood Relief Scheme was to be announced.

Council workers remained on standby on Sunday night with high tide coming at 6:30 a.m. on Monday morning. Town Clerk, Padraig O’Gorman said: “The water got right up to the banks at high tide but thankfully it didn’t break.”

Speaking to The Echo on Monday, Mr. O’Gorman added that the river had, since that morning, been receding and the fact that the rain had cleared up as helping greatly: “The river has fallen about a foot since high tide this morning. I think we’re over the scare.”

Enniscorthy has previously been hit badly by floods, namely in 2000, 2009 and 2010 and is constantly under threat when there is heavy rain and high tides.

“We’re continuing to monitor the situation,” said Mr. O’Gorman on Monday.