Emergency response team on alert for Storm Frank

Cork City’s emergency flood response team was on standby last night after the ESB warned that discharge rates from the Inniscarra Dam may hit their highest levels yet this winter.

As Storm Frank bears down, and after several hours of sustained heavy rainfall, the ESB confirmed it was increasing the dam discharge rate from 180 cu m of water per second to 200.

That is 20 cu m per second higher than the top discharge rate during the peak of Storm Desmond, when the 180 cumecs discharge rate was maintained from December 6-12. This led to extensive flooding of agricultural land next to the River Lee downstream of the dam, and of the Lee Fields and Lee Rd.

However, with forecasts for more heavy rain, the ESB warned that discharge rates from the dam may hit 250 cu m per second in coming days, and may go higher.

The city’s flood assessment team has continued to meet on an almost daily basis since Storm Desmond to assess the flooding threat to the city, and has been liaising with the ESB, the county council, Met Éireann, and the gardaí.

Huge waves as well as Storm Frank will approach Ireland/UK !
max 14 meter is possible SW coast Ireland /south ! pic.twitter.com/xbkd7q7Sqg

— MetRyanJ/Europe (@WinterExpert) December 27, 2015

The city’s flood response team is now on standby and will meet automatically if dam discharge rates hit the 250 cu m per second mark.

Its plan involves formal collaboration between local authorities, the gardaí, the HSE, the Defence Forces, and voluntary groups such as the Civil Defence and Red Cross. It was devised in the wake of the devastating 2009 flood which knocked out the city’s water treatment plant, caused tens of millions of euro worth of property damage, and triggered the activation of an official state of emergency in the city.

The discharge rate from the dam at the peak of that flood was more than double the current rates.

Officials have urged property owners in flood risk zones in Inniscarra and the Carrigrohane Rd areas, to take precautions.

Meanwhile, the national emergency co-ordination group met in Dublin yesterday, to assess the severe weather and its impact.

Flooding on minor roads will be compounded by heavy rainfall and motorists are advised to heed the local authority warnings. The public is also reminded to avoid walking along riverbanks, which may be unsafe. The Irish Coast Guard advised the public to stay away from coastal areas, especially piers.

Speaking after the group met, the OPW’s Jim Casey said that, with the exception of the upper Shannon catchment, levels were rising in all other parts of the river. Levels rose by about 6cm around Athlone, and the lower Shannon catchment saw levels rise by up to 3cm in recent days.