Cork weather: Some city streets to close to traffic this evening as tidal flooding expected 

Update: Cork City Council has advised that a number of city centre streets will be closed to traffic this evening, as tidal flooding is expected.

The local authority’s flood assessment team met this morning for the fourth in a row to review the forecasted Super Spring Tides this evening that is expected to result in tidal flooding in low-lying areas of Cork city centre at high tide.

In a statement this afternoon, Cork City Council said road closures will be necessary, but that diversions will be put in place to ensure traffic can still circulate safely.

(1/2)📢 Flooding Update 📢
Tidal flooding is expected in low-lying areas of Cork City Centre at high tide this evening at 18:22 p.m.

Motorists are advised that Wandesford Quay and Sharman Crawford Street will be closed from 5.30 p.m. this evening.@CorkSafetyAlert pic.twitter.com/iElRTvfD2A

— Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) October 30, 2023

“Any restrictions will be eased as appropriate and as quickly as possible to minimise disruptions.

“Road users are asked to plan their journeys and to travel with caution and follow diversional signage, it is put in place for your safety.

“Motorists are advised that Wandesford Quay and Sharman Crawford Street will be closed from 5.30 p.m. this evening until after the tidal flood has receded and diversions will be in place,” Cork City Council said.

Other streets which may be impacted include: South Terrace, Sawmill St, Rutland St, White St, South Mall, Union Quay, Morrison’s Island, Lavitt’s Quay and Crosses’ Green.

High tide this evening is at 6.22pm and at 6.41am and 18.59pm tomorrow.

Cork City Council said it will continue to monitor the situation and will post regular updates to its website and social media pages.

Earlier: Cork communities, homes and businesses will have to brace themselves for a further weather onslaught this week as Met Éireann has sounded a warning of an oncoming storm, Storm Ciarán, which is expected to hit the south west of Ireland on Wednesday and Thursday.

Before the onset of Storm Ciarán, further downpours and spells of heavy rain are expected on Monday while wet and blustery conditions are expected on Tuesday with a risk of localized flooding.

Advisory for Ireland⚠️

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, there will be heavy showers or longer spells of rain at times over Ireland with flooding likely in places, as soils are saturated and river levels are high⤵️https://t.co/Xg3aMJlyuS

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) October 29, 2023

While no specific coloured alert – either yellow, orange or red – has been issued yet in relation to Storm Ciarán, the third named storm of the season, the weather system is expected to track along the southern coast, bringing with it a spell of heavy rain, particularly in Munster and Leinster, which will extend over most of Ireland. 

Storm Ciarán will also bring with it a strong east or northeast win which will include the possibility of very strong gusts.

This latest storm follows on Storm Babet, which caused extensive flooding throughout Cork when it hit two weeks ago, and heavy rain combined with an exceptionally high tide this weekend which led to flooding in parts of Cork city.