Report: 'Limerick deluge was a one-in-650 years event'

A torrential deluge of rain which caused severe flooding and €10m of damage last month was tonight described as a one-in-650 year event.

Around 10% of the average annual rainfall fell in five to six hours at Newcastle West on August 1, according to a flood impact report.

An estimated 200 homes and businesses were affected by the floods which saw rivers swell to 1.8m (11’) with a number of people rescued from submerged cars.

An impact report from Limerick County Council said the water overwhelmed field drains and ditches and flowed upstream.

The report blamed the floods on the heavy rainfall and an exceptionally wet July which left the ground saturated when the torrential downpour occurred.

Water levels reached as high as 1.8 metres in some parts of the town, moving cars and debris in its path.

Power and water supplies were affected, while some roads had to be closed.

“The saturated catchment was unable to absorb the rain and a deluge of water ran off the steep mountain side and over-whelmed the field drains and ditches, before reaching the main watercourses through the catchment, namely the Dooally, the Mash and the Arra,” stated the report.

“Water flowed through the town, both via the channel and the roads, inundating many properties.”

The report, compiled by JBA Consulting, made a number of recommendations including the assessment of a number of buildings and channels to identify flood risk.

It also advised the county council to analyse questionnaires handed out to locals affected by the flooding.