STORM IMPACT THE CLARE EXPERIENCE. Tom Tiernan SE, Clare Co Co Cyril Feeney SEE, Clare Co Co

Overview 1.Inland Flooding – large scale in Ennis and South East Clare 2.Inland Flooding – lesser scale at various other locations 3.Wind Damage 4.Coastal Storm Damage

Inland Flooding Ennis – town centre flooding and several locations in environs – 1995, 1999 and 2009 Coincidence of elevated river levels, high tide and South West wind Approximately 80% resolved by relief schemes to date

Inland Flooding 2 South East Clare – extreme inundation in mostly rural area in Counties Clare and Limerick Very elevated river Shannon forced to bypass Ardnacrusha – most recent extreme, Future – depends on CFRAMS recommendations to emerge in 2015

Inland Flooding 3 Smaller scale flooding issues in North and East Clare Backup of overwhelmed sub- terranean systems- Karst Limestone

Effect of Inland Flooding. Roads become impassable in most cases Resolution – Flood Relief Schemes, Drainage Schemes or Road Upgrade or various combinations of same Some success in recent years in Clare

Wind Damage Coastal – public and private property – Dec/Jan/Feb of 2013/14 Coastal and inland on Feb. 12 th,2014 – public and private property including large scale tree damage. Highest recorded gust in country in Shannon – almost 160km/hr – 1,000 trees lost.

Tree Damage

Climate Change

Coastal Storm Damage Weather pattern change in Mid- December, 2013 Development of Extreme Low Pressure centres in Atlantic Coincidence of high winds off low centres with associated ocean swells impacting directly onto coast at time when Spring Tide were peaking

Storms Coastal storms occurred on January 3 rd and 6 th and on February 1 st All in coincidence with extremely high tide in early morning All exacerbated by ocean swell varying between 0.5 and 1m Slight variation in wind direction resulting in different damage locations

Severity Damage at 35 public infrastructure locations along entire coastline in January Devastation in private areas also eg Doonbeg Golf Club

Nature of Damage Demolition/undermining of sea walls Resort facilities destroyed Dune systems compromised or removed Roads compromised or destroyed 1000’s of tons of sea rubble and shingle thrown long distance inland Examples to follow:

New Quay

Over 3km of coast road damaged Coastal defences found to be inadequate and need to be reinstated/strengthened Total estimated cost of remediation: €3.8million

Lehinch

Rock armour defences destroyed over a distance of more than 1.5km Promenade walls damaged/removed Promenade undermined and pulverised by wave power Damage to car parks, playground and a variety of other facilities Total estimated cost of remediation: €6.7 million

Cloughaninchy

Dune system obliterated or seriously eroded over a distance of 2.2km Up to 20 houses / Road network left exposed to wrath of next Spring tide Potential for Seafield Pier/ peninsula to be cut off permanently Estimated cost: €5.2 million

Kilkee

Several significant breaches in historic sea walls Major wall destabilisation resulting in collapse of Strand Line Destruction of extensive paved spaces, walkways and various other structures. Estimated cost €1.3m

Kilbaha

Total destruction and undermining of significant sections of sea wall 150m of Regional road completely removed along with supporting sea wall – no road through village for 6 weeks Total estimated cost of remediation: €3.5 million

Works completed Clean up at all 40 sites (twice in some cases) Roads, tourism and harbour infrastructure restored to fulfil normal function Additional restoration works carried out and ongoing at tourist resorts

The Cost Overall estimated damages: January €27.2 million February €10.9 million TOTAL €38.1 million

Cost Breakdown Estimated damages by category: Clean up €1.39 million Roads €3.12 million Tourism €2.04 million Piers/Harbours€0.34 million Coastal Restoration €13.06 million Coastal Strengthen €14.27 million Contingency Sum €2.9 million

Funding Confirmation of availability of €16.8 million to date based on January application Application to strengthen coastal defences damaged in January - €12.1 million – decision awaited Application for funding to deal with February damage - €10.9 million – decision awaited

Issues Issues to be considered to facilitate implementation of remediation: Planning requirements Environmental issues/designations Prioritisation Procurement of consultants Procurement of works Timescale and programme

Main Issue

Thank You