'Supermoon' tidal flood alerts issued for Cork city and county 

Both of Cork's local authorities have issued warnings which come into effect on Friday about possible flooding as a result of high spring tides in Cork city and high risk coastal areas around the County.

A warning about the possibility of localized tidal flooding on Friday evening along the quays and other low-lying areas of Cork city was issued by the City Council on Thursday evening and this was followed by a warning about flooding around high risk coastal areas later.

These warnings followed a High Tide Advisory warning which was issued by Met Éireann covering the period from Friday morning to Monday evening.  According to the Met Éireann alert, 'high' levels of flooding could be expected on southern coasts on Saturday.

"A period of supermoon spring tides expected to be the highest during 2024 are the primary driver for the elevated and high coastal levels over the weekend," said the Cork County Council spokesperson in its statement. 

According to the alert issued by the City Council, a ‘very high’ astronomical Spring Tide is expected from 5pm on Friday evening and will last until Saturday.

Householders and business owners in the following areas are asked to take the ‘necessary precautions’ to protect property and advised to stay up to date with local news reports for further updates.

The areas likely to be impacted include Morrison’s Qua, Mathew Quay, Mathew Street, Union Quay, Trinity Bridge, South Terrace, Rutland Street, Sawmill Street, Lavitt’s Quay, Kyrl’s Street, Kyrl’s Quay, Crosses Green, Proby’s Quay, Sharman Crawford Street, Wandesford Quay.

“Cork City Council’s Flood Assessment Team is monitoring the situation closely and will continue to issue regular updates on the tidal forecast to our Twitter as well as the City Council’s website,” said a spokesperson in a statement. “An update on Saturday’s predicted conditions will be issued on Friday morning.”

A statement from Cork County Council tonight (Thursday) said the authority had activated its protocol with pumping arrangements at designated locations affected by forecasted conditions. 

It also advised property owners and residents at known coastal risk locations to take the usual necessary precautions for this high tide advisory.

"Issues such as flooding and road damage should be reported to your local Council Office during working hours (9am to 5pm), details of which can be found by visiting the local area office webpage. Outside working hours, Cork County Council via its Emergency Out of Hours number 0214800048.

"Call 999 or 112 and request the Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Gardaí or Irish Coastguard as appropriate."