Timeline:

On 1st February 2002, an exceptionally high tide occurred at Dublin, which resulted in significant flooding throughout parts of the city and Fingal. It was a period of spring tide conditions associated with the full moon at that time. The highest tide predicted for Dublin Port around that period was on Thursday 31st January at 13:12 hours and was predicted to be 4.46m LAT, the actual tide was 4.69m LAT. The next highest tide was predicted for 14:00 hours on the 1st February, at a level 0f 4.44m LAT, the actual highest level that occurred was 5.46m LAT at 14:30 hours. The 5.46m level was the highest recorded since 1923.

It was a low pressure system, which fell to a low of just 930mbar which was the driver for the high surge levels experienced at Dublin. The continuous low pressure system in the Atlantic generated conditions which propagated into the Irish Sea in the form of a surge wave. This combined with strong winds, which around the 1st February were up to gale force from south to south westerly, increased the sea level significantly.

Data has been obtained for the Marine Institute M2 buoy, which is located in the Irish Sea just off the Dublin Bay. Data on 1st February 2002 indicates that from 07:00 hours to 15:00 hours significant wave heights were in excess of 3.5m and reached up to 4.4m on a number of occasions. The February 2002 event had a return period of 750 years. However, assuring a 4mm/yr increase in water level due to sea level rise, the water level of February 2002 would have a return period of 130 years in 2050 and 30 years in 2100.

Impact:

• The flooding in Ringsend occurred on both sides of the river upstream of Ringsend Bridge. Residential and commercial properties were flooded. The river wall was overtopped in a number of locations.

• The areas affected on the right bank were properties between Fitzwilliam Quay and Irishtown, known locally as Stella Gardens. The topography of the area facilitated the floodwaters to travel through Stella Gardens and onto Irishtown Road. The areas affected on the left hand bank, were the streets and some properties between South Lotts Road and Barrow Street.

• The river overtopped the right bank at Fitzwilliam Quay almost directly in front of the Cosgrave Apartment development. Here the trash mark was recorded at 1.6m above the floor level.

• The floodwater spilled onto the footpath and roadway. As the water level rose, the floodwater flowed southwards towards the junction between Fitzwilliam Quay and Dermot O’ Hurley Avenue.

• Dermot O’ Hurley Avenue falls eastward towards Irishtown. The roadway is bounded by a low retaining wall at the top along the South channel. This retaining wall ‘directed’ the floodwater down Dermot O’ Hurley Avenue and into the lower area of the housing estate.

• The flood water passed down the steps and very quickly began submerging the lower areas on Veronica Terrace.

• The housing estate consists of a series of terraces, the units facing the river are two-storey and the units between Aikenhead Terrace back to Rosary Terrace are single storey dwellings. Approximately 184 houses were flooded in this area.
• The floodwater made its way as far as Irishtown Road, then crossed the road and entered the housing enclave of St. Brendan’s Cottages on the East side of Irishtown Road.
• The basement car park of the new development Somerfield on Irishtown Road recorded a flood depth of 2.0m. Approximately 30 houses were flooded in this area.

• On Irishtown Road approximately 10 commercial units were flooded.
• The local ESB sub-station was also flooded, cutting off the power supply to the entire area.
• Dublin City Council workers witnessed a river wall collapse on the Stella Garden side, of 45 m when flood waters lowered.
• It is estimated that the flood waters started pouring into Stella Gardens area around 12:50pm and continued until around 3:10pm a total of around 140 minutes.
• The total quantity of water flooding this area was around 11 million gallons.
• The flooding caused extensive damage to property where many houses had to be completely gutted. Furniture and heating systems were also destroyed in many houses.
• 477 houses damaged in Stella Gardens and South Lotts Area. 293 houses were surveyed for damages and 68 were found not to have insurance, causing major financial hardship

Response/Action:

• It is reported that Dublin City Council received the 1st phone call regarding the flooding at 13:08 hours and the Fire Brigade received a distress call at 13:09 hours.
• The onset of flooding was rapid which hampered initial efforts. Many effected residents reported that the areas were flooded within 20 minutes and there was not enough time to deploy sandbags or even for some people to evacuate their homes. Many people remained trapped within their houses for a number of hours and required assistance from the emergency services.
• The Army arrived later that evening with floodlights and 3 small pumps, 2 two inch and 1 three inch.
• At 9pm, the Irishtown Road was passable again and all road waters were gone from St. Brendan’s cottages.
• By the Saturday morning, floodwaters had greatly subsided. The Cleansing Department vanguard arrived at 6am to start the tidying up of Irishtown Road.
• The local health board established an emergency payment system for those effected and a free G.P. service was also provided for several days. The Defence Forces provided hot meals for 200 people until 10th February