Cork companies prepare for floods

Motorists arriving in Cork city center today have been warned to plan their journey carefully before an anticipated rise in the river in flood-prone areas.

The Cork City Council went to great lengths to emphasize that low-lying areas of the city center that have historically been damaged by flooding would again be at risk.

Areas like South Mall and Morrison’s Island are at risk all morning, while Oliver Plunkett St could also withstand the brunt of the perfect set of conditions for a flood event.

Unless the wind changes direction overnight, as it did last minute this summer during a flood warning event, the city center could flood.

Motorists were urged to take advantage of parking spaces in the safest areas of the Paul St and North Main St shopping centers, where two hours of free parking currently apply.

Met Éireann has issued a yellow level wind and rain warning for Cork until 3pm.

Like its city counterpart, the Cork County Council also urged people in the county, especially in West Cork, to prepare for flooding.

“High tides, combined with strong winds and predicted levels of storm surge, give an elevated risk of coastal flooding, particularly in areas like Bantry, which are prone to coastal flooding,” the county council said.

“Motorists are advised to drive with caution during heavy rains and not to drive in flood waters.

Homeowners are advised to take precautions in low lying areas or areas susceptible to flooding.

West Cork suffered extensive damage during the Storm Francis event in late August when heavy rains flooded roads and properties.

Bantry and Bandon were among the cities in Cork hardest hit by flooding due to the heavy rains triggered by Storm Francis, which occurred just days after the region was hit by Storm Ellen.

Other flooded areas included Dunmanway, Rosscarbery, Connonagh, Clonakilty, Drimoleague, Leap, Ballydehob, Passage West, and Youghal.

Skibbereen escaped further flooding during Storm Francis after Storm Ellen struck her the week before.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has insisted that it wants to continue flood defense systems for Cork city center, but has faced strong opposition from lobby group Save Cork City.

Save Cork City insists that the OPW’s plans would be “detrimental to property, the economy, heritage, nature and the environment in general”, and have instead advocated a “tidal barrier-based solution” , which according to the OPW is not adequate. the kind of flooding Cork is prone to.