Study pinpoints 240 flood risk homes in Co Galway

Some 240 homes in towns around the county are at risk of significant flooding in the next big flood according to the most extensive flood risk maps ever drawn up.

The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment & Management study conducted the Office of Public Works (OPW) is the largest study of its kind undertaken in Ireland which aims to plan for measures that are needed to manage flood risk from rivers and the coast.

The study centres only on areas of population and is based on surveys, hydrological analysis, hydraulic computer modelling and public consultation.

Galway is divided between two studies, one for the western waterways and the other the catchment areas of the Shannon River.

In the western study, the OPW found seven towns outside of Galway City were at risk of flooding for which no viable solution could be found for all but one town in the next big flood event – described as a 100-year flood.

The map shows Clifden is the most prone to flooding with 25 homes at risk of flooding. The study puts the damage caused by such a flood at over €625,000. An embankment would best address flooding in the town, according to the consultants.

Gort is the next town most likely to flood with 12 homes at risk, which the study assesses would cost €116,000. Kinvara is third with eight houses and a damage bill estimated at €565,000; there are four in Oughterard costing €12,263, three in Oranmore with damages put at €21,000 and three in Corofin, with the damages here estimated at €360,000. There are two homes on the flood risk map in Roundstone which if flooded are estimated to cost €21,000.

Claregalway is excluded as a major scheme is currently underway to address flooding on the Clare River.  Galway City has 318 homes at risk which would cost €8.1m in the event of a flood.

Ballinasloe and Portumna are examined in the study centring on the Shannon. In Portumna 117 homes are risk of flooding with a flood gate regarded as the best solution to alleviate water damage, which would cost €3.6m.

In Ballinasloe, where extensive flood defences previously created saved over 200 homes last winter, there are a further 60 homes at risk when next the waters rise in the River Suck. The study proposes a scheme where the wall at Derrymullen is extended and more eyes on the East Bridge are opened and a dam built upstream to restrict the flow of water.

Fine Gael Councillor Jimmy McClearn said people in Portumna were most anxious that work on the flood gate would be completed soon as it would alleviate 95% of the flooding in the town.

Ballinasloe Councillor Aidan Donohue asked if work in the town was contingent on other work on the Shannon.

OPW engineer Clare Butler said while the body would prioritise certain projects the work in Ballinasloe was not dependent on work elsewhere on the River.

Cllr Joe Byrne (FG) asked if the OPW were looking at the whole catchment rather than particular blackspots.

He said flood relief measure in Gort some years back had saved the town but had cause mitigating problems in the surrounding hinterland.

He welcomed an application to the OPW for funding to progress a flood relief scheme to benefit townlands from Skehanagh in Peterswell to the sea in Kinvara.

In the past six months over 40 roads have been permanently raised which should alleviate some of the hardship for motorists who had to endure lengthy detours last winter.