University College Cork deploys flood defences to remain in place through Christmas

University College Cork (UCC) has deployed flood defences at some of its most vulnerable buildings and said they will remain in place throughout the Christmas holidays.

The university took the precautionary step last night as the ESB confirmed that it will continue discharging water from its Inniscarra Dams on Cork’s River Lee at a rate of 180 cumsecs — the highest level since 2009.

The discharge rate has been maintained at 180 cumsecs since last Friday after several days of sustained heavy rainfall, but flooding has been confined to downstream lands next to the river, particularly around the Lee Fields area.