High Spring Tides to Bring Flooding Risk to Cork City Centre This Week

Cork City Council has warned that exceptionally high astronomical spring tides, combined with a tidal surge, will affect low-lying areas of the city from tomorrow, Wednesday 5 November, through to Saturday evening, 8 November.

While widespread city centre flooding is not predicted, road ponding and localised flooding is highly likely in several familiar problem areas, particularly during high tides on Wednesday evening and throughout Thursday and Friday.

The natural cycle of high tides over the coming days is expected at 4.38am and 5.02pm on Wednesday, 5.23am and 5.47pm on Thursday, 6.09am and 6.34pm on Friday, and 6.56am and 7.20pm on Saturday.

The combination of spring tides and a forecast tidal surge will push water levels higher than normal astronomical predictions, creating conditions ripe for flooding in Cork's most vulnerable locations.

Areas at particular risk include Morrison's Quay, Fr. Mathew Quay, Fr. Mathew Street, Union Quay, Trinity Bridge, South Terrace, Rutland Street, Sawmill Street, Crosses Green, Sharman Crawford Street and Wandesford Quay. These locations, familiar to anyone who has navigated Cork's relationship with the River Lee, are especially prone to tidal flooding.

Cork City Council has advised householders and businesses in these low-lying areas to take precautionary measures ahead of the high tidal events. Property owners should erect tidal barriers before high tide on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, and leave them in place overnight.

The council is monitoring the situation closely and will issue further advice if conditions change. At present, the forecast suggests targeted rather than widespread flooding, but residents in affected areas should remain vigilant over the coming days.