Cork City remains on high alert amid tidal flooding fears
The city centre has been on tidal flood alert all week due to a tidal surge and strong south to south-easterly winds with two feet of water reported on South Mall, around Wandsworth Quay and Sharman Crawford St on Thursday night.
Met Éireann issued a Status Orange alert for Connacht, Donegal, Clare, Cork, Kerry, and Limerick yesterday evening and this alert was to carry through until this afternoon.
The River Lee broke its banks on Thursday night and Friday morning but receded quickly. Cork city council early warning systems were also reported as having worked well as property owners had erected flood barriers in time and put out sandbags.
The road from Crosshaven to Carrigaline road could not be passed yesterday morning and the Bellard Rd at Cobh was also off limits. There was also flooding at the Pier Head in Kinsale.
Pat Collins of Denis A Barrett Auctioneers and Resolve Auctions on South Mall said much of the water damage to city centre premises was caused by buses and lorries driving past and pushing flood water into properties.
“These drivers were creating waves of water as they passed,” said Mr Collins. “Traffic should not be allowed on to flooded routeways. There were buses and lorries creating huge volumes of water and then there were people just driving around to have a look.
“The only vehicles allowed on South Mall should have been emergency vehicles and people trying to remove parked cars.”
Some business owners on Oliver Plunkett St put up barriers to divert traffic from the lower end of the street so similar damage would not be done.
Cork City Council warned of high flood at 7.27am and 7:47pm today and at 8:15am and 8:34pm tomorrow.
A tidal surge and strong south to south-easterly winds are predicted over the next few days. These factors combined will increase the tide levels over the natural tide levels.
“During this period, prior to and after these tides, there is a danger of tidal flooding in the city,” a spokesman said.
It is possible that flooding may occur at low-lying areas such as South Terrace; Trinity Bridge; Rutland St; Cotter St, Stable Lane; Union Quay; Morrison’s Quay; Proby’s Quay; French’s Quay; Crosses Green; Sharman Crawford St; Wandesford Quay; Lavitts Quay; Kyrl’s St; Kyrl’s Quay; Coal Quay; and Lapps Quay.
Also at risk are the South Mall; Oliver Plunkett St; Pembroke St; Princes St; Marlborough St; Cook St; Winthrop St; Kennedy Quay; Centre Park Road; Monahan’s Road; and George’s Quay.
