Cork City Council issues weekend flood warning for city centre

Cork City Council has reiterated a warning about what it described as “very high astronomical spring tides” from this evening through the weekend that are predicted to cause localised flooding in parts of the city. 

These coincide with a tidal surge that has been forecast to occur simultaneously which, when combined, will result in unnaturally high tide levels.

The authority has said high tides this weekend will peak at 5.20pm on Friday evening, 5.45am and 6.05pm on Saturday and 6.30am and 6.49 pm on Sunday.

The authority warned all five high tides will result in some water flooding onto roads and parking areas along low lying quays.

“However, specifically for Saturday morning’s tidal event, householders and business owners are asked to protect their property e.g. erect their flood barriers on Friday evening and leave them in place overnight until Saturday morning,” said a council spokesperson.

“There is risk of tidal flooding in the city centre due to the 5.45am tide on Saturday morning. This high tide will be the highest of the weekend and has the potential to affect properties on low lying quays.” 

The authority warned it was “highly likely” that flooding will occur in the following areas and that people should take appropriate action to protect their properties.

Morrison’s Quay, Fr. Mathew Quay, Fr. Mathew Street, Union Quay, Trinity Bridge, South Terrace, Rutland Street, Sawmill Street, Crosses Green, Sharman Crawford St, Wandesford Quay and South Mall (particularly the southern side).

Motorists are advised not to park on any of these streets on Friday night into Saturday morning, with road flooding likely to occur on Saturday morning on Kyrls Quay, Lavitts Quay, Lapps Quay, Proby’s Quay, French’s Quay and Sullivan’s Quay.

Cork City Council will be closing Sharmon Crawford Street and Wandsford Quay to traffic from 5:15am on Saturday and re-opening both to traffic again at 6:30am.

“Road users are asked to travel with extra care and attention on Saturday morning from 5.15am to 6.30am as it is likely that roads could have surface water. Please avoid driving on flooded streets and take alternative routes instead,” said the spokesperson.

“There is no river (fluvial) or rain (pluvial) flooding predicted this weekend across the city, only city centre tidal flooding due to the spring tides combined with the atmospheric weather conditions".