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Flooding in Dublin: improvement of infrastructure crucial
On Monday October 24 Ireland´s east-cost was hit by intense rainfall. Within three hours 85mm of rainwater came down, an amount that usually falls over three days. The two rivers which run through Dublin, the Dodder and the Camac, overflowed. FRC partner, the Dublin City Council, activated its major emergency plan to protect the city. The programme directorate of `Room for the River´ war curious to hear more about this plan and invited the Dublin City Council to pass on their expertise. On the 22nd of November Tom Leahy, Executive Manager Engineering of the Dublin City Council, took a plane to the Netherlands and shared his experiences.
Due to the heavy rainfall two major roads, many houses and one of Dublin´s largest shopping centres flooded. Two people drowned. ‘Three large rivers flowing through the city and many small ones running underneath it, cause Dublin to be in a situation of increased risk’ says Leahy. ‘We are used to a lot of rain, but climate change, storms and tidal flows increasingly often cause extreme weather events. Because more and more buildings have been constructed the water cannot drain off anymore.’
‘On Monday October 24 from 4pm onwards it rained continuously’, Leahy demonstrates through a graph. `The City Council, fire brigade and the army delivered some additional personnel and materials. Assistance was offered to people who got stuck in cars and underground parking lots and to the elderly.’
What did Dublin learn?
‘Unexpected intense rainfall will continue to be a unique challenge for Dublin’, Leahy states. ‘Over 200-year old infrastructure will have to be renewed to allow streets to discharge the water in a better manner. Furthermore, gardens should be made of grass again instead of concrete. Within the framework of the FRC-project we are already creating more space for rivers and rainwater. We are also developing risk maps and recommendations to make existing buildings more flood resilient. Additionally, Dublin is developing smart technology for early warning systems and will continue to work closely together with MET ÉIREANN (the Irish weather service).
Sources: www.dublincity.ie and BBC News Europe
Figures: Flooding on Dublin’s streets, provided by Christina Erasmus
On Monday October 24 Ireland´s east-cost was hit by intense rainfall. Within three hours 85mm of rainwater came down, an amount that usually falls over three days. The two rivers which run through Dublin, the Dodder and the Camac, overflowed. FRC partner, the Dublin City Council, activated its major emergency plan to protect the city. The programme directorate of `Room for the River´ war curious to hear more about this plan and invited the Dublin City Council to pass on their expertise. On the 22nd of November Tom Leahy, Executive Manager Engineering of the Dublin City Council, took a plane to the Netherlands and shared his experiences.
Due to the heavy rainfall two major roads, many houses and one of Dublin´s largest shopping centres flooded. Two people drowned. ‘Three large rivers flowing through the city and many small ones running underneath it, cause Dublin to be in a situation of increased risk’ says Leahy. ‘We are used to a lot of rain, but climate change, storms and tidal flows increasingly often cause extreme weather events. Because more and more buildings have been constructed the water cannot drain off anymore.’
‘On Monday October 24 from 4pm onwards it rained continuously’, Leahy demonstrates through a graph. `The City Council, fire brigade and the army delivered some additional personnel and materials. Assistance was offered to people who got stuck in cars and underground parking lots and to the elderly.’
What did Dublin learn?
‘Unexpected intense rainfall will continue to be a unique challenge for Dublin’, Leahy states. ‘Over 200-year old infrastructure will have to be renewed to allow streets to discharge the water in a better manner. Furthermore, gardens should be made of grass again instead of concrete. Within the framework of the FRC-project we are already creating more space for rivers and rainwater. We are also developing risk maps and recommendations to make existing buildings more flood resilient. Additionally, Dublin is developing smart technology for early warning systems and will continue to work closely together with MET ÉIREANN (the Irish weather service). Sources: www.dublincity.ie and BBC News Europe
Figures: Flooding on Dublin’s streets, provided by Christina Erasmus
