Cork city crews on standby amid flood warning

Cork City Council has crews on standby and has predicted flooding in the city centre, as Met Éireann has issued a rain warning for tomorrow and Tuesday.

A status yellow rain warning has been issued for Cork as well as Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, and Waterford from 1pm Monday to 9am Tuesday by Met Éireann.

The national forecaster said that further heavy rain falling on saturated ground combined with high river levels and high tides will lead to localised flooding, river flooding and difficult travel conditions in a weather alert issued Sunday morning.

It comes as parts of counties in the east and south-east regions were badly flooded last week due to Storm Chandra, with Wexford and Dublin experiencing the worst disruption, while Carlow, Kilkenny, Louth, Wicklow and Waterford also saw localised flooding.

Ahead of the heavy rainfall expected at the start of this week, Cork City Council said its crews have been on standby over the bank holiday weekend.

Cork City Council is predicting surface water on a number of low-lying city centre quays over the next 48-hours with scheduled high tides set to coincide with a forecasted tidal storm surge at high tide, between 5.45 am and 6.04pm on Monday and between 6.29am and 6.46pm on Tuesday.

Surface water is expected around those times on the following low-lying quays; Wandesford Quay, Lavitts Quay, Union Quay and Kyrl’s Quay.

A council spokesperson said that this will be a mainly tidal occurrence, but added: “Cork City Council is closely monitoring the situation across the Bank Holiday weekend and has crews on standby to respond.

“Lane restrictions or road closures may be required in affected areas. Pedestrians are advised to exercise care in the affected areas during the high tide times.

“Motorists are also advised against parking in the affected areas before the high tide times, to drive with care in the affected areas, and to allow time for potential diversions or delays in the city centre.”