Cork weather warning upgraded as flooding expected

Met Éireann has issued a Status Orange Rainfall Warning for Cork from midday tomorrow until Thursday.

The national forecaster upgraded the yellow warning currently in place for Cork and Kerry to an orange warning valid from 12:00 Wednesday to 12:00 Thursday.

⚠️Orange Rain Warning⚠️
Cork & Kerry currently on yellow rain warning until 12:00 Wed 13/03/24 when will upgrade to an orange level until Thu 14/03/24 at 12:00

⚠️Yellow Rain Warning⚠️ for Waterford valid from Wed 12:00 13/03/24 until Thu 14/03/24 12:00

ℹ️https://t.co/w5QtJ1UyEP pic.twitter.com/hZ3EphGjx5

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) March 12, 2024

The yellow warning issued just before 7pm on Sunday evening for Monday afternoon through to Wednesday warned of “spells of heavy rain at times, accompanied by strong onshore winds and high tides,” adding that there was a possibility of localised flooding.

There was minor flooding this morning on Bailick Road, Midleton, as well as Wandesford Quay and Centre Park Road in the city.

The new warning, valid for 24 hours from tomorrow afternoon, says: “Persistent rain, heavy at times, accompanied by strong onshore winds, high tides, and elevated river levels.” Met Éireann added the following warnings: “flooding expected, wave overtopping, difficult travelling conditions.” 

They added another warning for Wednesday, that southwest winds will also increase to force 6 or higher at times on Irish coasts from Slyne Head to Strangford Lough to Mizen Head.

Cork County Council’s Severe Weather Assessment Team convened this afternoon and confirmed that they have crews on standby in several known risk locations across the county.

“Crews are currently clearing inlets and gullies. Pumping arrangements are being put in place as a precautionary measure in known problem locations. River levels will continue to be monitored,” they shared.

The council also asked road users to avoid driving through flowing or standing water and to exercise caution during heavy rain, as well as being conscious of cyclists and pedestrians, and property owners are advised to take precautions in low lying areas or areas susceptible to flooding.

They advised that in the event of disruption to power supply, you should contact ESB Networks at 1800 372 999, and in the event of disruption to water supply, contact Uisce Éireann at 1800 278 278.

Issues such as flooding and road damage should be reported to your local Council Office during working hours (9am to 5pm), details of which can be found by visiting www.corkcoco.ie, and outside working hours, the Council can be contacted via its 'Emergency Out of Hours' number (021) 4800048.

“Call 999 or 112 and request the Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Gardaí or Irish Coastguard as appropriate,” they advised, adding, “Cork County Council will continue to monitor this situation.” 

Cork city council advised that the following areas could see flooding, encouraging people to put up barriers and to consider where they will park their car overnight if in one of the likely to be affected areas.

“Cork City Council would advise Householders and Businesses to take Precautionary Measures to protect their property during the high tidal events e.g. erect their tidal barriers Monday & Tuesday evening and leave them in place overnight.

“Flooding will likely occur in the low-lying areas of the City Centre that might affect properties on the following streets: 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).

Road flooding will also likely occur on Tuesday & Wednesday mornings on: Kyrls Quay, Lavitts Quay Lapps Quay, Proby’s Quay, French’s Quay and Sullivan’s Quay, the council added.