Concerns have been raised in Shannon regarding possible future flooding in the town as a result of water breaching the town's Estuary Embankment.
Councillor Sean McLoughlin has called on the Office of Public Works (OPW) to raise and reinforce the Shannon Estuary Embankment which he said was breached at a number of locations earlier this year.
Councillor McLoughlin said future flood defence works along the Shannon Estuary in the vicinity of locations such as Kildysart and Ballynacally will have implications for other flood prone locations like Shannon Town during any future storm surges and high tides.
He explained: “The need for flood defence works to be carried out along both sides of the Shannon Estuary is critically important and has been well highlighted in the wake of serious flooding in both Limerick and Clare during January and February. However, we must ensure that any flood defence measures carried out elsewhere along the Estuary do not negatively impact on existing defences elsewhere.”
Councillor McLoughlin said the existing 24-foot high embankment will need to be raised by at least two feet.
In a motion presented at a meeting of Shannon Town Council, he said: “I call on Shannon Town Council to ask the OPW to raise and reinforce the embankment by a minimum of two feet that would bring it to a level of 26-feet above Poolbeg Ordnance Datum.”
He continued: “The embankment protects residential and commercial properties in Shannon. In January and February, I witnessed flooding in locations that have not previously experienced flooding. This includes Shannon Golf Club which was underwater in some spots. Furthermore, I am requesting that Clare County Council consider planting a row of trees close to the embankment to provide additional protection during future wind events. These trees will also help to further strengthen the embankment structure.”
Councillor Sean McLoughlin has called on the Office of Public Works (OPW) to raise and reinforce the Shannon Estuary Embankment which he said was breached at a number of locations earlier this year.
Councillor McLoughlin said future flood defence works along the Shannon Estuary in the vicinity of locations such as Kildysart and Ballynacally will have implications for other flood prone locations like Shannon Town during any future storm surges and high tides.
He explained: “The need for flood defence works to be carried out along both sides of the Shannon Estuary is critically important and has been well highlighted in the wake of serious flooding in both Limerick and Clare during January and February. However, we must ensure that any flood defence measures carried out elsewhere along the Estuary do not negatively impact on existing defences elsewhere.”
Councillor McLoughlin said the existing 24-foot high embankment will need to be raised by at least two feet.
In a motion presented at a meeting of Shannon Town Council, he said: “I call on Shannon Town Council to ask the OPW to raise and reinforce the embankment by a minimum of two feet that would bring it to a level of 26-feet above Poolbeg Ordnance Datum.”
He continued: “The embankment protects residential and commercial properties in Shannon. In January and February, I witnessed flooding in locations that have not previously experienced flooding. This includes Shannon Golf Club which was underwater in some spots. Furthermore, I am requesting that Clare County Council consider planting a row of trees close to the embankment to provide additional protection during future wind events. These trees will also help to further strengthen the embankment structure.”
