No national flood plan for expected high tides

THERE will be no national coordinated plan to prepare for next week’s record high tides despite the Office of Public Works (OPW) despite being given the responsibility for drawing up an emergency strategy following recent flooding.

Sea levels are expected to peak at close to five metres along some stretches of coastline which will result in serious flooding in low lying areas if coupled with specific wind conditions.

The OPW, which was designated as the lead agency in flood relief from 2004 onwards, said the precautions and response to various risks of flooding was “up to the individual local authorities”.