Over 80 South Galway homes identified at high risk of flooding
A review on the damage made by after Storm Ophelia and Storm Debi has identified more than 80 properties in South Galway that are at the highest risk for flooding.
TetraTech, who acquired RPS, outlined recommendations to Galway councillors to safeguard 83 properties in Kinvara and Oranmore after reviewing the damages done to the areas by Storm Ophelia and Storm Debi.
Looking at maps outlining the depth and duration of flooding, the 83 properties will be divided into two categories, Loughrea councillors heard during a meeting this week.
Individual properties will be allocated specific plans to keep water out. The second category will be clusters of homes focusing on flood walls.
The safety proposals are currently being prepared by TetraTech together with site visits and costings. A full recommendation report is expected by the end of Summer.
In addition, consultants considered a 1.5m wall to protect Coast Road near the Oranmore train station. However, council officials said such a wall would cost somewhere between €100,000 and €150,000 as it would need to be reinforced with concrete rather than standard stone.
“It would be a Mercedes Benz of a wall surrounded by Kias,” officials joked.
Alternative options are being explored to ensure any barrier is fit for purpose among existing protections.
Storm Ophelia occurred in 2017. Mr Gallagher said it can be categorised as a storm which occurs once in every 10-15 years. While Storm Debi, which occurred in 2023, could be chanced once every one hundred years.