Cork flood could recur within 50 years: ESB

THE ESB has said a repeat of the massive flood which hit Cork last November could occur again within the next 50 years.

The semi-state company had previously claimed that last year’s flood, which caused up to €250 million in damage, was a one-in-800-year event.

However, yesterday an ESB spokesman said they had significantly revised that figure downwards and the latest estimate was a one-in-50 to one-in-100 year event.

He said the revised figures were based on local flood data and Met Éireann’s predicted increases in rainfall patterns.

“This is subject to large uncertainties and further work will be required on it,” the spokesman said.

A legal expert representing flood victims said the news would “add further suffering” to those living downstream of the Inniscarra dam.

Solicitor Joe Noonan, who is honorary adviser to the Cork Flood Action Committee, said people living below the dam continued to suffer unnecessarily because of the inactivity of public bodies, as no flood defence works have been completed.

“Their suffering is intolerable and the latest statement from the ESB adds to that suffering,” Mr Noonan said.

The ESB’s latest report said the inflow to the reservoirs at Inniscarra and Carrigadrohid “was two-and-a-half times their natural storage capacity” when the great flood hit.

The company has also admitted it has made no changes to its operating procedures in the past 11 months.

“It’s an astonishing statement that the ESB hasn’t changed its operating procedures,” Mr Noonan added.

The Lee Catchment Flood Risk Management Plan, commissioned after the flood by the Office of Public Works (OPW), recommended changes to the way the ESB operates. It also recommended several small-scale downstream flood defences.

The OPW has advertised for consultants to examine what flood defences are needed, but it could take years before these are actually put in place.

An ESB spokesman said that following completion of these downstream works, it would be in a position to change operating procedures to allow increased discharges from Inniscarra, improving its ability to lower reservoir levels ahead of heavy rain.

He said the ESB is working with the OPW and the local authorities in implementing the Lee Catchment Flood Risk Management Plan.