Cork city experiences ‘worst flooding in years’

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The minister responsible for flood protection is due to visit the city of Cork today to assess the damage caused by the worst flooding the city has seen since 2014.

Office of Public Works Minister Patrick O’Donovan will meet with merchants in the Oliver Plunkett St area, one of several downtown streets that were flooded by up to a foot of water, as they begin a major cleaning operation.

Businesses already affected by the Covid-19 restrictions are now facing cleanup and repair costs after this morning’s high tide flooded the low-lying areas of the city center.

O’Donovan visited the city just a few weeks ago and said the time has finally come to start work on the city’s long-awaited 150 million euro flood defense plan and the improvement of Morrison’s Island’s public space.

While last night’s high tide passed with only a few pool flooding incidents along the lower piers of the southern channel, stronger southwest winds and heavy overnight rains combined with this morning’s high tide to push levels above the 2.6 m mark.

The result was a flood that spilled over the lower piers in the Morrison’s Island area, spread north to the South Mall, and crossed the edge of the road into the side streets and Oliver Plunkett St.

John Minihan outside his flooded pharmacy on Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork. Image Dan Linehan
John Minihan outside his flooded pharmacy on Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork. Image Dan Linehan

Other severely affected streets and areas include:

  • Sharman Crawford Street
  • Pembroke Street
  • Cornmarket Street
  • Princes street
  • Wandesford Quay
  • Winthrop Street
  • Sawmill street
  • Marlborough Street
  • Caroline street

Members of the Cork City Fire Brigade, the Cork Civil Defense and dozens of city hall workers are monitoring the situation.

The Cork City Council has asked motorists to avoid the lower areas of the city center if possible.

“Traffic is heavy in the city as there are detours,” said a spokesman.

Cork South Central Minister of Reform and Public Expenditure and TD Michael McGrath said the government will provide Cork businesses with “all possible support.

He tweeted: “Devastating flood scenes in the city and suburbs of Cork this morning. This is the last thing business owners, workers and residents need right now.

“The government will work with @corkcitycouncil @Corkcoco @opwireland and local business groups to provide all possible support.”

A car in flood water at P. Matthew Quay in Cork. Image Dan Linehan
A car in flood water at P. Matthew Quay in Cork. Image Dan Linehan

Eoin O’Sullivan, president of the Cork Business Association (CBA), said that the latest Covid restrictions combined with another flood event pose a number of challenges for the city center not seen since the burning of Cork in 1920.

Morrison’s Island’s scheme, which includes combined flood defenses, may have helped prevent last night’s floods.

An Bórd Pleanála’s decision to grant the planning of the plan faces a challenge in the High Court mounted by the campaign group Save Cork City.

The Cork city council’s flood assessment team, working with Met Éireann, says it does not predict further flooding during high tide hours later tonight and tomorrow morning.



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