Fifth of Lou th homes could flood

OVER 10,000 Louth homes could be at risk of flooding, according to a new study carried out by data and risk analysts Gamma Location Intelligence (GLI).

More than 70,000 Irish addresses were reported to be at heightened risk of coastal flooding by 2050 as a result of climate change, according to mapping and data analysis of vulnerable coastal locations.

GLI projected that properties in Dublin, Louth, Limerick, Clare and Galway are the most at risk counties.

Although Dublin will be the most affected county in terms of the number of addresses expected to be impacted by extreme coastal water levels, Louth has also been highlighted as significantly at risk of flooding over the next 30 years.

The findings were based on a predicted global temperature increase of 2 degrees which climate scientists expect to happen by 2050 in some scenarios and take into account current carbon emissions.

Such a temperature increase would cause sea levels to rise and bring about more extreme weather events, leading to higher and more frequent coastal flooding, notably due to storm surges resulting in one-off sea rises – climatologists have predicted Ireland is overdue a 3m storm surge.

The projections found that Louth is set to be second most affected county, with 10,280 residential and 968 commercial properties predicted to be impacted.

But, when it comes to the proportion of addresses that are expected to be impacted, Louth has been predicted be the worst affected.

Up to 19 per cent of its addresses, or around a fifth of properties are at risk. This is next to County Clare , at 13.3%, and only 3.9 per cent of Dublin’s addresses which were said to be at risk.

A combination of heavy rainfall and high river levels in addition to coastal flooding is likely to cause even more properties to be impacted.

All of the statistics highlight what impact temperature rises and storm surges might have on coastal areas in Louth around the country.

GLI mapped out the possible consequences using what is known as a ‘digital terrain model’ within a ‘Perilfinder software platform.’

This aids in the risk assessment for properties including flooding and subsidence.

The GLI also indicated that the cost of climate impacts on Irish property be around €2 billion in the next few decades.

But the projections do not include the impact of measures taken to mitigate the risks over the coming years.

Louth County Councillor, Maria Doyle, who has been among the most vocal of representatives on the issue told the Argus that a lot of planning is taking place locally to advance flood protection measures.

‘ This is the reason Louth was the first county to be earmarked by CFRAM (Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management) for funding,’ said Cllr. Doyle.

The CFRAM programme is aimed at putting in place medium and long-term strategies for the reduction and management of flood risk throughout Ireland.

Cllr. Doyle added that Louth County Council has set up a committee focused entirely on CFRAM issues, and four areas in Louth have been identified including: Carlingford/Greenore, Dundalk/Blackrock, Ardee, and Baltray.

‘Work is moving slowly, but it is happening, and I know that they are at the tender stage for design in the Dundalk/Blackrock and Ardee areas now in June. The remaining areas are intended to go out later in the year.’

Separate from CFRAM, Cllr. Doyle had also highlighted the repeated flooding of the Ardee Road/ Mounthamilton, and adds that funding was secured from the department for work on Balmer’s Bog, an area close to Hill Street Bridge which when deluged can cause significant problems downstream along the Ardee Road.

‘ The reality is that we have seen evidence of more frequent flooding already in recent years. But I think we have a real opportunity, with proper planning and consultation, to put in place measures for the future.’

She added that councillors had also been looking at ways in which public amenities could be included with flood prevention measures.

‘ This is particularly true when we are looking at coastal programmes, with amenities such as the Greenway, and indeed the Balckrock/ Dundalk walkway.’

She said that although she was confident the funds and plans were there for prevention measures, ‘We need to make sure that we are a step ahead and not a step behind.’