We overcame the floods together - now let's do the same thing during the big freeze

The Irish weather, rarely known for its pleasant surprises, has really outdone itself recently. Here in Athlone, the deluge of rainfall in November contributed to the devastating flooding which impacted on so many people throughout the town and surrounding areas. While the water level on the Shannon have since dropped, the toll it exacted on local residents and homeowners - both financially and psychologically - will take much longer to subside. If one positive could be retrieved from the flooding crisis it was the manner in which the public rallied to the aid of each other. For most of an economically bleak year there was talk of Irish people being pitted against one another. There was the phony war between the public sector and the private sector, as well as the pre-budget rhetoric which caricatured sections of society and then debated which ones should take most of the 'pain'. No such social divisions were evident during the flooding crisis. What we saw, instead, was local people coming together as one to lend a hand at the first opportunity. By the end of December an astonishing €270,000 had been donated to the Athlone Flood Relief Fund. Just as important as this financial aid was the manner in which people lent moral support and practical assistance to those whose homes were at risk or already flooded. Unity across all sectors of society was also in evidence at a national level this week as Finance Minister Brian Lenihan spoke in unflinching terms about his battle with cancer. Party allegiances and policy differences were put to one side as genuine expressions of support for Mr Lenihan poured in. Whatever one might think of the Finance Minister's budget and his policies, it's clear that, an a personal level, the Irish people are uniformly on his side at this time. Mr Lenihan will rely on the care and support of his family and friends over the coming months. Similarly, community spirit and a sense of togetherness will be needed if the country is to overcome its present fiscal and social problems. One of the ways this can be displayed this week is in our handling of the 'big freeze' which, like the flooding, is among the most severe of its kind that we've seen. At the time of going to press, roads in Westmeath and South Roscommon remained in a dangerous condition as a result of the recent frost and snow. And meteorologists are predicting that the conditions could remain treacherous for several days. Motoring organisations such as AA Roadwatch and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have been urging motorists to drive with extra care, slow down and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. This advice may have been issued ad nauseum in recent weeks but it's still as vital as ever. Furthermore, we should be conscious of the elderly at this time, particularly those who are living alone. If possible, pay a visit to your neighbour or pick up the phone to see if they're ok. Small gestures like these can go a long way toward ensuring that we overcome the 'big freeze' as a community.