LAST UPDATE | 31 Jan

ESB HAS WARNED that heavy rainfall has caused them to consider releasing water from its Poulaphouca Reservoir which may cause flooding along the River Liffey.

In a statement today, issued by South Dublin County Council, the company said it was dealing with a lengthy period of “intense rainfall” in the Liffey catchment. This has caused increased river and reservoir levels. 

“Large volumes of rain water arrived into the Poulaphouca reservoir in recent days from the upper Liffey catchment area. The vast bulk of this volume has been retained in the reservoir, increasing levels by almost 2 metres.

“Without the dam structures at Poulaphouca, this water would have proceeded through the Liffey from Wicklow into Kildare and ultimately Dublin, significantly increasing water levels all along the river over and above what has been already experienced,” the statement said. 

ESB said that Poulaphouca reservoir storage has played a critical role in mitigating the impact of recent rainfall on river levels downstream of Poulaphouca and has reduced the risk of flooding downstream.

“However, levels are continuing to rise following the rainfall in the last 24 hours. As reservoir storage is limited and given current forecasts there may be a need to pass through some of these additional inflows over the coming days.

“This may increase the risk of flooding along the course of the River Liffey, in particular in the Clane and Newbridge areas. The situation will continue to be closely monitored,” the statement added.

A sub-group of the National Emergency Coordination Group has been convened to coordinate the response with ESB, all relevant Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams, Met Éireann, Government Departments and other agencies.

Local Authority Severe Weather Assessment Teams are monitoring the situation closely, ensuring resources are in place, that crews are on standby, preparing the necessary interventions and will issue further communications.

The ESB Networks have said that people with concerns about flooding should contact their local authorities for further information.

The South Dublin County Council said its Severe Weather Assessment Team (SWAT) are monitoring the situation closely, ensuring resources are in place, crews are on standby and preparing the necessary interventions.

Emergency

Meanwhile a high level meeting of the National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) and its related Subgroups met today.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne attended and have been briefed on the situation and response.

The Taoiseach appeared on RTE News this evening and warned that more flooding may occur and asked people to be careful. 

Martin said that he is due to travel to the most impacted areas in south east.

“Waters are at a very elevated level, quite a number of rivers are full, so we are concerned and worried about the days ahead,” he said. 

The Taoiseach added that his main focus is to “respond adequately to the various areas that have been impacted here, both in terms of humanitarian and business support schemes”.

A statement said that the Taoiseach and the Minister stressed the importance of vigilance and agility over the coming days.

The NECG said that local authority crews have been working overnight and will continue working today and over the coming days to alleviate flooding, clean up in its aftermath, and prepare for the risk of further flooding.

Response agencies, with the support of Civil Defence, Irish Red Cross and other volunteers, are on the ground offering assistance to those in need.

People are urged to check local authority websites and social media channels for information on road closures, flooding updates, and community alerts. Flooding may impact transport services and the public is advised to check with operators before their journey.

It said that rain is forecast to ease today and tomorrow, but the impacts of last night’s rain may continue throughout the weekend and flooding will continue to be a risk due to saturated ground conditions and high river levels.

The NECG and response agencies will continue to closely monitor the ongoing situation and be on alert for the risk of further flooding over the coming days and into next week.