Lee CFRAMS: Flood Risk Assessment

Client:   Office of Public Works
Delivery: Sept 2008

Working with a consortium led by Halcrow Group Ltd., to meet the requirements of the EU Floods Directive, MarCon is tasked with the hydraulic modelling of Cork Harbour to map the extent of flooding around the harbour during storm events of various magnitudes. The study is focused on urban areas where flooding traditionally occurs, and areas subject to significant development now and in the future.

The low lying areas of Cork City are regularly affected by tidal flooding. Much of the flooding occurs during adverse weather conditions when heavy rainfall, high tides, low pressure and strong easterly winds cause surges in the harbour, and higher river flows.

In order to estimate storm water levels a detailed statistical analysis of surge, tide and meteorological data was undertaken. The analysis considered the joint probability of occurrence of surges, high tides and river flows, and the impact of climate change on sea level rise was also assessed.