BY CATHERINE COOK
A freak storm which hit Glenfin on Wednesday evening has caused thousands of euro worth of damage, destroyed a 200 year old bridge and left numerous houses severely damaged by flooding.
The storm which affected the Brockagh and Cloghan areas has been described by local postman and weather-forecaster, Michael Gallagher as "the worst in living memory".
He commented: "A thunder storm broke out very suddenly at about five o'clock. It's a complete disaster for the area and for local people who have had their homes seriously damaged."
Lightning also left a number of people without electricity when it struck a transformer at Galwolly. Power was restored that evening as ESB workers were dispatched to replace the transformer.
"Lightning hit the transformer next to my house and just blew it up. My neighbours had their CCTV system destroyed and I know people who had their televisions hit. We were just fortunate that our houses didn't go up in flames."
It is understood that one family in Corlacky, just outside Brockagh, were forced to stay upstairs in their house as they were panic-stricken when water began to pour in to the ground floor. The force of flooding at a neighbouring house uprooted trees and damaged the bridge nearby.
Donegal County Council have also confirmed that a new bridge will be required at Lettershambo as the old bridge collapsed due to the severe force of flooding. Council workers were called into action early yesterday morning, Thursday, where works have already begun on repairing damage to the side of the road at Corlacky. The new bridge at Corlacky was also damaged and as of Thursday morning a one way traffic system was in operation.
Brockagh village experienced some of the worst damage with thousands of euro estimated to be required to repair them.
Mr Gallagher commented: "The last time we had weather like this was in May of 1962. But even then the damage wasn't as severe as this week's flooding. The problem now is that people are living too close together. Years ago houses were more spread apart. And also the force of the water coming off the mountains is worse now because there is no drainage."
