'We have avoided a crisis': Cork City escapes feared flooding

A feared tidal flooding event did not appear after a change of wind direction. Picture: Larry Cummins

Cork City has escaped significant flooding this morning.

The city is now reopening. Picture: Larry Cummins

High tide passed just after 6.20am with just minor spot flooding on low-lying quays.

Water levels in the river have already receded.

Strong south easterly winds, which had been forecast to combine with the high tide, changed direction and their speeds dropped significantly in the hour or so before high tide.

Road closures which had been introduced at around 5.30 am are being lifted over the next few minutes.

The flooding was not as dire as predicted. Picture: Larry Cummins

Water on the quays this morning in Cork City. Picture: Larry Cummins

The message from City Hall is that the city is open for business.

City traders had been braced for another significant tidal flood, and had been warned to take preventative measures as it was feared the impact could be on a par with flooding in October when the waters breached quay walls on Morrison's Island and swamped South Mall and Oliver Plunkett Street.

Director of Services with Cork City Council David Joyce said there were some roads affected but nothing drastic. 

"All business in the city centre will be able to open on time and Cork City will be open today for Christmas shopping. 

"We have avoided a crisis. As I said there were a number of roads that were badly affected this morning where you had four-lane roads down to one-way/give way and we are very grateful to the gardaí for the assistance they gave in relation to managing the traffic," said Mr Joyce.

It is understood that Bantry town square flooded this morning before high tide but the county council and fire brigade managed to pump the flood water away from the businesses and no property damage was caused.