Minister of State for the Office of Public Works, Mr. Patrick O’Donovan TD, today welcomed the news that flood relief schemes in Cork and Tipperary have prevented a substantial amount of damage to property during the recent significant weather event in southern counties.
The severity of the weather event this week has in some areas been described as more significant than that which caused the flooding in 2009 and 2015, with close to 100mm, or 4 inches, of rain falling in a 24 -hour period at some locations, during a status orange rainfall weather warning.
The OPW flood relief schemes operated successfully in Clonakilty, Skibbereen, Bandon, Douglas, Mallow, Fermoy and Clonmel during the period of extremely heavy rainfall and subsequent increases in river water levels at these locations.
In Mallow, a flood relief scheme costing €39.5m is in place protecting some 230 properties, while in Fermoy a scheme costing €37.5m protects 264 properties. In Bandon, a €31.4m scheme protects 392 properties, while in Clonakilty, a €29.8m scheme protects 296 properties.
Yesterday, high flow events occurred in Mallow and Fermoy, which had an estimated return period in excess of ‘one in ten’ years (on average), and were it not for the schemes being in place in those towns, it is estimated that some 140 properties, including about 50 homes, would have been flooded.
While the weather events of the last two days are relatively extreme, the schemes in all of the locations mentioned above are designed to provide protection for much bigger flood events than occurred yesterday, namely a flood with an average return period of one in one hundred years.
The events of the past few days have again shown that Cork City is at significant risk of flooding, not just from the tide, but also from the River Lee to the west of the City in conjunction with the tributaries, the western River Bride and the Shournagh.
Over 70mm of rain was recorded on average in the Lee Catchment in a 24-hour period, an amount of rainfall that could be expected to occur in the same period about once every 5 years, roughly speaking.
Collaboration which took place between the ESB, who are in control of the reservoirs and dams on the Lee, Cork City Council, and the OPW, who have prepared the Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme with a view to protecting the City of Cork from flooding from the Lee and its tributaries, as well as from the tide, mitigated the worst impacts of the event.
OPW collaborated with the ESB in ensuring that the OPW’s flood forecasting system (a key part of the proposed flood relief scheme, which is currently operating on a trial and development basis) was available to them in addition to their own system. Information on the levels of dam releases that might cause risk to property, was made available to the ESB (by the OPW and the City Council, in addition to any information the ESB had already in this respect), to support them in making appropriate decisions on discharges.
As a result, serious flooding of property was avoided on this occasion, albeit that fields and roads were flooded. While there has been considerable debate recently about the merits of a tidal barrier at the mouth of the River Lee, such measures would have had no impact on the events of the past two days.
The proposed Lower Lee Flood Relief scheme is intended to protect the City from flood with an average return period of one in one hundred years, which are substantially larger flood events than that which occurred on Tuesday this week.
Speaking earlier, Minister O’Donovan said
It’s very important that people are aware of the enormous benefits of flood protection schemes for communities and the damage that is prevented to so many homes and businesses. Often we only hear the very difficult stories after flood events, but today we can point to the major investment by Government over the last number of years and see the real benefits. A very substantial number of properties have been saved from flooding on this occasion, and a substantial amount of damage has been prevented throughout Munster and elsewhere, and I am committed to continue to progress schemes as quickly as possible in other at-risk locations so that similar protection can be provided. In particular, I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge all those staff and emergency services, who have worked tirelessly and diligently in dealing with the evolving flooding issues over the last few days.
While it is believed that a very small number of properties in Fermoy experienced minor flooding, the OPW is confident that these issues can be remedied successfully in the short term to ensure protection is provided for future flood events.
Notes
Further details regarding investment in individual schemes and number of properties protected.
Bandon Flood Relief Scheme – €31.4m – protects 392 properties
Clonakilty Flood Relief Scheme – €29.8m – protects 296 properties
Douglas Flood Relief Scheme – €19.8m – protects 221 properties
Skibbereen Flood Relief Scheme – €34.5m – protects 312 properties
Fermoy Flood Relief Scheme – €37.5m – protects 264 properties
Mallow Flood Relief Scheme – €39.5m – protects 230 properties
Clonmel Flood Relief Schemes – €40.1m – protects 500 properties
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