Cork City Council’s Flood Response Group met this afternoon with Met Eireann, the ESB, An Garda Siochana and Bus Eireann in attendance. The city’s flood plan has been activated and the Defence Forces are on standby.

Cork City Council is warning residents, communities and business of a very serious imminent weather event which will affect all parts of the city.

Rainfall of up to 80 millimetre is expected in parts of the city and county due to an orange rainfall warning from 7pm tonight, Monday February 22, which will continue until Tuesday night, February 23.

The River Lee and its many tributaries ( including the Shournagh in Cloghroe, the Bride in Blackpool, the Curraheen)  and the Glashaboy River through Glanmire and the Tramore River through Togher are likely to burst their banks due to rain levels and the current waterlogged nature of the ground. This may lead to localised flooding.

We are advising people who live in areas prone to river flooding (not tidal flooding) to take active measures to protect their property.

This is a 48 hour event and we are asking property owners to be on alert from midnight tonight until Wednesday afternoon

Cork City Council crews have been cleaning gullies today and clearing trash screens today and will be on standby across the city over the next 48 hours. River levels are being monitored constantly by the Flood Response Team.

Director of Operations, David Joyce says:

People living and working in areas prone to river flooding are advised that sand bags and gels bags are available at our Anglesea Terrace depot and Tramore Valley Park civic amenity site up to 7pm tonight and again from 7am tomorrow, Tuesday.

If you need emergency help, please contact Cork City Council’s Customer Service Unit at 021 492 4000 from 9am-5pm or Cork City Council’s out of hours emergency number at 021 496 6512.

Across the city, the heavy rainfall will likely lead to surface water and hazardous driving conditions tonight and tomorrow.

Please avoid unnecessary journeys tomorrow. Don’t drive into flooded areas and please respect road closures, Mr Joyce said:

Sandbags and gel bags can be collected from Anglesea Terrace and Tramore Valley Civic Amenity Site until 7pm tonight and from 7am tomorrow, Tuesday.

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