Report: Floods were once in 650 years event

THE floods that swamped parts of Co Limerick last month were a once in a 650-year occurrence.

A report commissioned by Limerick County Council recommends structural inspections need to be carried out on the main bridge and riverside building in Newcastle West, where it is estimated that more than 200 homes and business premises were damaged by the flood waters.

The Severity and Impact report, compiled by JBA Consulting, said that the saturated River Arra catchment areas were unable to absorb the rain and a deluge of water ran off into Newcastle West and other areas.

The report adds: “A large number of properties suffered from flood damage, both internally and externally.

“A more detailed count of those affected will be established following analysis of the questionnaires [distributed by the consultants], but initial estimates suggest over 200 properties may have suffered from some degree of flooding.

“Although a number of people were rescued from property or vehicles, no-one was seriously injured during the event. Power and water supplies were also affected for a time after the event.

“Road closures, both as a direct result of the flooding and due to subsequent land slides, remain in place in some areas,” the report found.

The report also found during the storm, 10% of the expected annual rainfall fell in 5-6 hours, giving a rainfall return period of up to 1 in 650 years.

“Water sheeted off the upper slopes, over-whelming field drains and ditches and forming overland flow routes upstream of Newcastle West town.

“In the town itself, the river channel and structures were also overwhelmed.”

The report recommends that further detailed analysis should be undertaken, in conjunction with the OPW, to assess the capacities of the Arra channel and individual structures in order to identify the actual risk associated with each of them.

“This analysis should include, in particular, Cullenagh Bridge, the Bridge Street crossing, the culvert below the Bedding Store, Mill Falls Apartments, Courtenay Bridge and the Bridge of Tears,” it said.