Cork City Council alerts public to potential city centre flooding

Cork City Council has alerted the public to the possibility of localised tidal flooding over the coming days due to a combination of naturally occurring “very high astronomical spring tides” and the forecasted weather conditions.

The local authority said the high astronomical spring tides will continue from this evening and will last until the weekend.

“Met Eireann have also advised Cork City Council due to a combination of forecasted strong winds and high waves associated with the storm front crossing the Atlantic at present, a significant storm surge may result in localised tidal flooding over the coming days,” the council said.

“The combination of both of these events may result is some localised tidal flooding along low lying quays in the city.” 

At present, the council said that property damage or road closures are not expected and that flooding will likely be restricted to ponding on the usual low-lying quays.

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

It is “highly likely” that road ponding or flooding may occur in these low-lying areas particularly during the hightides tomorrow evening and Thursday evening, city council said.

This evening’s high tide is at 7.02pm, while it will be at 7.23am and 7.45pm tomorrow.

On Thursday, high tide will be at 8.05am and 8.27pm and on Friday it will be at 8.48am and 9.11pm.

Cork City Council said the situation will “continue to be monitored” and further advice will be issued, if the situation changes.