Consultants tasked with identifying root causes

LIMERICK County Council have brought in experts to try and pinpoint the root cause of floods that swamped Newcastle West and Athea on August 1 when the Arra and Galey rivers burst their banks.

As well as rainfall and water levels, the consultants have been asked to identify structures that may have interfered with water flow on both rivers.

A spokesman said: “We have appointed the firm of JBA Consulting to carry out a severity and impact report for both Newcastle West and Athea. This firm has extensive experience of flooding and coastal engineering work, both in Ireland and the UK.

“They had staff on the ground in Newcastle West on the morning of the floods and collected some first-hand data and records in relation to the flooding.”

The council has provided local people’s details to the company for consultation.

The council spokesman said: “In addition, the consultants propose distributing questionnaires to affected premises/householders in the most severely affected areas of both Newcastle West and Athea, and these will be accompanied by prepaid envelopes for ease of return. Distribution of questionnaires commenced in Newcastle West yesterday.

“Additional copies of the questionnaire will be made available in our area office at Newcastle West.”

The consultant’s brief will require them to examine rainfall, river flows and to carry out an initial assessment of structures and river features which may have exacerbated the flood situation. They have also been asked to identify the possible root causes of the flooding, and make recommendations for further investigation.

The council spokesman said: “Their preliminary findings should be available in about two weeks’ time.

“The Office of Public Works have been cleaning river channels in both Newcastle West and Athea.

“Council staff have also completed the temporary repair work at South Quay damaged by the floods. We expect to commence work on the permanent repair next week and that should take about three weeks to complete.”

The council has contacted the Department of the Environment and the National Roads Authority indicating they we will be seeking funding to cover all their costs.

Deputy Niall Collins welcomed the council’s move.