Flooding

Flooding happens when water overflows onto land that is normally dry. Flooding can happen when:

• Rivers or streams break their banks
• Sea levels increase and exceed land levels, or break coastal defences
• Heavy rainfall exceeds the capacity of drainage systems, or the ground’s ability to absorb it
• The level of water stored in the ground rises to the ground’s surface and flows out over it. This is known as groundwater flooding and happens when it has rained for a long time.

The increasing effects of climate change mean that severe weather events, like flooding, are becoming more frequent.

Some areas, such as low-lying coastal areas, are at a higher risk of flooding than others. 

You can find out if flooding is more likely in your area by checking:

• Met Éireann weather services and understanding the meaning of the different types of weather warnings
• The Office of Public Works (OPW) flood map, which highlights areas at risk of flooding
• The OPW has an individual Flood Risk Management Plans for the 29 river basins, where the risk of potential flooding is significant

By taking steps to prepare, you can reduce the impact of flooding on you, your family and your home. You can:

• Prepare a flood kit with items like a torch, your important documents, a first aid kit and drinking water
• Move important documents to a safe, dry and elevated place
• Make sure everyone knows where your gas, electricity and water shut-off points are
• Plan how you will stop water coming in your home, for example, you could buy sandbags
• Plan what you will do with pets and animals in the case of a flooding

Visit floodinfo.ie for information about what to include in your personal flood plan or fill out a blank template of a flood plan. You should also check if your local community has its own flood plan, especially if it is in a high-risk area.

If you have been told to evacuate your home immediately, you should follow that advice. However, if you have time to prepare before the flood arrives, you can take some steps to help protect your property and reduce the damage it causes.

You can prepare your home before a flood by:

• Moving your family, pets and electrical items to a safer place, for example, upstairs above flood level
• Turning off the gas and electricity
• Disconnecting cookers, washing machines, dishwashers
• Removing curtains
• Putting sandbags at openings where water might be able to come into your home, for example, at your front door

You can also prepare the area outside your home by:

• Moving your car and any outdoor furniture to higher ground
• Moving any chemicals you may have in a garage or shed to stop them from contaminating floodwater
• Unplugging any exterior electrical connections, such as outdoor lighting
• Weighing down manhole covers with sandbags

You should check in with your elderly neighbours before a flood to make sure they are safe and have an evacuation plan, if needed.

Getting around when there is flooding

Do not try to walk or swim through flood water. There is a risk you could be swept away by strong currents.

You should try to avoid touching floodwater, as it is usually contaminated. You should wear protective or waterproof clothing when in contact with floodwater, if possible.

It is also easy to lose control of a car during wet conditions. In severe weather conditions, cars can be swept away and can be a danger to life. You should also avoid driving during red weather warnings.

You can report flooding in your area to your local authority. You can find contact details for your local authority at localgov.ie.

If you need immediate help in an emergency, you should contact the emergency services at 112 or 999.

If you see major flooding or a leak caused by a problem with a public watermain (underground water pipes) or public sewer system, you should report this to Uisce Éireann. You can call them on 1800 278 278. If you see a leak that is not an immediate risk, you can fill out the flood form on the Uisce Eireann website to report it.

Returning to your home

You should only return to your home after flooding, if it is safe to do so. You can contact your local authority for information on this.

If your home has been flooded, it may be contaminated with sewage or floodwater, which could make you sick. You should wear protective, waterproof clothing and disinfect your hands.

Standing water (water that does not flow) can hide hazards and may carry bacteria, which can be released when you disturb the water. You should wear a mask, if you go into your home after it’s been flooded.

When you go home after flooding, you should:

• Check your ceilings for cracks or bulges. This can indicate structural damage to your home, which means it may not be safe
• Not turn on your power, water or gas until they have been checked by a utility company or a qualified engineer
• Not turn your utilities off, if you are unsure if they are switched off after flooding. Wait for a professional to turn them off.
• Contact your local authority for advice about getting rid of waste after flooding

Home insurance and flooding

If your home has been flooded and you have home insurance, you should contact your insurance company to see what’s covered and start a claim.

Check if your insurance company covers the cost of cleaning, loss or damage after flooding, and if there are any limits to your cover. You can find this information in your insurance policy booklet, on the insurance company’s website, or by ringing them.

To help with your claim, you should:

• Take photographs or videos of the damage caused by the flooding for evidence
• Mark and record the water levels on the walls

Do not do any work on your home until your insurance company has approved it.

Visit floodinfo.ie for more information on insurance cover after a flood and cleaning your home after a flood.

Health and safety after flooding

It is important that you stay healthy after a flood. You can do this by:

• Wearing protective and waterproof clothing in and around the flooded area
• Wearing gloves and wash hands thoroughly after contact with floodwater
• Avoiding using tap water that has changed colour, taste or smell
• Throwing out any food that has come into contact with floodwater
• Throwing out any food from a fridge that has been off for 4 hours or longer
• Throwing out any food from a freezer that has been off for 24 hours or longer

For further information on food safety, visit our page on food safety in the home.

Drinking water after flooding

Do not drink or use floodwater. Check the Uisce Éireann website to see if a boil water notice has been issued for your area after flooding. If there is a boil water notice for your area, do not drink the water straight from your taps. You must boil it and cool it before drinking it. You can learn more about boil water notices on Uisce Éireann’s website.

Generally, water mains are not affected by flooding. However, after flooding, you should wash your taps and let them run for a short while to clear out the system. Water outside of the public water mains, such as wells, may be contaminated by floodwater. You should avoid using water from these sources until they have been tested or checked by a professional. Your local authority environment section or the HSE Environmental Health Officer can recommend a laboratory.

The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme

If your home has been affected by a severe weather event such as flooding, the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme can provide emergency financial help. There are 3 stages to the scheme:

• Stage 1 helps with immediate support for food, clothing and alternative accommodation. This is not means tested.
• Stage 2 helps replace things like white goods (fridge, freezer), flooring, basic furniture and other essential household items. This is means-tested.
• Stage 3 gives longer-term financial support for structural damage to your home, including covering plastering, dry lining, relaying of floors and more. This is means tested.

For further information visit our page on the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme.

Other financial supports

If you do not qualify for the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme but you suffer a loss due to severe weather and your income is affected, contact your Community Welfare Officer for help under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme.

Flood defence schemes

The OPW and local authorities work together to develop flood defences. Flood defences are systems put in place to reduce and prevent damages caused by floods in Ireland. Information about recent flood defence schemes are available on gov.ie.