‘Bantry needs text flood-warning system like Bandon’s’

A flood-warning system for Bantry, similar to one that previously operated in Bandon, should be considered as an interim measure while the town waits for a flood-relief scheme to be completed, says Independent Ireland councillor John Collins.

Mr Collins raised the issue in a motion proposed to the recent meeting of Cork County Council’s western division, which stated: “I am calling for an early-warning and communication system for Bantry town, when, and if, flooding is expected.”

Mr Collins said that a system was previously in place in Bandon, before flood-relief works were completed, and that it provided information for residents and businesses by text message when flooding was expected. The Bandon flood warning system used river sensors and sent SMS alerts when river levels reached a certain threshold.

The motion was supported by Independent Ireland councillor Danny Collins, who said that many people in Bantry had “no warning” of the most recent flooding in the town.

Fine Gael councillor Caroline Cronin said “something needs to be done”, as there could be 10 or 12 more floods in Bantry before relief works were in place.

Independent councillor Finbarr Harrington said the constant worry for people in Bantry about flooding was “mentally draining” and such a system could alleviate some of the stress.

Council engineer Catherine Murphy said: “The development of an early-flood-warning system for Bantry is challenging, due to the nature of the catchment, which is steeply sloping and prone to rapid onset of flooding.

“Bantry is also vulnerable to flooding from rainfall, and coastal and river flooding. Cork County Council operations teams monitor the tidal, river, and rainfall gauges and engage directly with Met Éireann during periods of potential flooding and implement response procedures as appropriate depending on the level of risk identified.”

Cork County Council will engage with OPW and Met Éireann, Ms Murphy said, to review the gauging infrastructure within the catchment and identify if additional stations would allow for the development of a flood-warning system to predict flood events and issue timely alerts.

Ms Murphy added: “A number of properties in Bantry have received flood barriers from Cork County Council, through funding provided by OPW. Cork County Council would recommend that any property owners who have flood barriers take a precautionary approach and install these any evening where Met Éireann is predicting significant rainfall during the autumn and winter months, in particular if tide levels are high.”

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.