Rivers ‘near capacity’ with further flood threats

Nearly every river in the country is already near capacity and there will continue to be a threat of flooding for the next seven to 10 days, a national emergency committee on weather has warned.

The Government’s emergency body for dealing with severe weather conditions today met in the National Emergency Coordination Centre to review the response to recent flooding and bad conditions.

It also sought to assess the impact of the storms on infrastructure and communities and to ensure a coordinated response by local authorities, Government Departments and agencies.

Met Éireann reported to the group that Ireland had been subject to a sequence of Atlantic storms since December 13th last, resulting in extreme wind conditions, episodes of heavy rainfall and lately storm surges associated with high tides and low pressure atmospheric conditions.

A yellow weather warning remains in force today as strong gale force winds hit Leinster, Ulster and Connacht, with gusts of up to 100km/h.

The weather forecaster predicted heavy showers this evening, with some some possibly thundery.There is the risk of spot flooding.

In a statement, the National Coordination Group said: “While the risk of tidal flooding will recede in the coming days, because the seasonal high tides have passed, the current weather pattern is likely to continue for the next seven-10 days, and the major risk in the period will come from river flooding, as nearly every river in the country is already near capacity.”

Each storm and severe weather warning issued by Met Éireann was monitored by the Department of the Environment, which is the lead Government Department for severe weather emergencies.

It maintained contact with Met Éireann, the local authorities and the transport and engergy sectors.

All the relevant local authorities will now compile reports on the recent events, the group said.

It said feedback from the flooding in Cork overnight was that the co-ordinated response of the state agencies had worked well. It thanked the front line staff involved.

The Department of Social Protection has an initial allocation of €15 million for exceptional and urgent needs, “pending a fuller assessment of the situation over the coming weeks”, the coordination group said.

This is in addition to funding already available from the various Government departments.

An assessment of the level of assistance required will be carried out on a house-by-house basis.

The group thanked emergency services, local authority workers, State agencies, businesses and the public for their “hard work and patience during the recent event”.

It asked the public to heed the safety warnings of the authorities, and noted there had fortunately been no fatalities due to the current flooding episodes.

Motorists have been warned to drive with care as the heavy rain and gale force winds continued across the country.

Flooding and fallen trees have been reported nationwide, with Kildare and Cork worst hit.

All routes are now open in Cork, however, as the flooding has receded.

AA Roadwatch has said roads are very wet with a lot of excess surface water reported, fallen trees and debris.

South Dublin County Council reported incidents of spot flooding on the N7, N4 and on off-ramps on the M50 at Tallaght /N81 exit 11 northbound.

The council dealt with reports of 12 fallen trees in the last 24 hours.

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said its transport and water services departments had checked all the usual locations prone to flooding and they were not aware of any fluvial or coastal flooding issues.

“Some minor surface flooding has occurred around the Leopardstown Inn an Meadowvale and is being monitored.”

Bus transfers are in place between Limerick and Ennis and also between Rosslare and Enniscorthy due to flooding on the rail line, Irish Rail said.