It’s Spring Tomorrow and There’s a Storm Coming

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Flood defense gates on the River Dodder will be closed and parts of Sandymount Strand and Beach Road could be closed ahead of an oncoming storm.

The storm, which is already beginning in many parts of Dublin 4 especially parts near the coastline, is expected to last throughout the weekend with high tides and strong wind gusts of 130km.

Dublin City Council said high tides could be particularly treacherous on Friday and Saturday lunchtime.

“The car parks along the promenades at Sandymount and at Clontarf will be closed and pedestrian access points sealed. There is a possibility that Strand Road and Beach Road in Sandymount will be closed due to wave overtopping,” said the Council in a statement.

Precautionary measures include flood protections in Beatty’s Avenue in Ballsbridge, large sandbags and pumps deployed in Clontarf and the closing of pivotal floodgates on the River Tolka. The Board Walk along the Quays will also be closed with additional closures predicted for Victoria Quay and Wolfe Tone Quay.

Met Eireann currently has a national orange warning in effect, meaning the weather conditions could impact significantly on people particularly within coastal areas.

People are being asked by the Council to stay away from sea walls and not try to take any photographs of any kind. Property owners in Sandymount are being asked to protect their properties.

For more information on flood protection measures visit www.flooding.ie.

Image: reader Richard Purdy took this image earlier this month of the high tides at Poolbeg Towers.
By Liam Cahill