Avoid low-lying quays.

That’s the advice from Cork City Council this weekend as motorists are warned that “a period of very high astronomical spring tides” will occur from this evening, Friday until Sunday evening, likely causing minor localised flooding.

All five high tides will result in some water flooding onto the roads and parking areas along low-lying quays.

However, specifically for Saturday morning’s tidal event, householders and business owners are asked to protect their property and erect their flood barriers on Friday evening and leave them in place overnight until Saturday morning.

“There is risk of tidal flooding in the city centre due to the 5:45am tide on Saturday morning. This high tide will be the highest tide of the weekend and has the potential to affect properties on low-lying quays.” a statement from Cork City Council reads.

‘Protect your properties’

“On Saturday morning, flooding will likely occur in the following areas and people should act to protect their properties: Morrison’s Quay, Fr. Mathew Quay, Fr. Mathew Street, Union Quay, Trinity Bridge, South Terrace, Rutland Street, Sawmill Street, Crosses Green, Sharman Crawford St, Wandesford Quay and South Mall (particularly the southern side).”

Motorists are advised not to park on any of these streets from Friday night into Saturday morning. Road flooding will likely occur on Saturday morning on Kyrls Quay, Lavitts Quay, Lapps Quay, Proby’s Quay, French’s Quay, and Sullivan’s Quay.

Cork City Council will be closing Sharman Crawford Street and Wandsford Quay to traffic from 5:15am on Saturday and re-opening both to traffic again at 6:30am.

“Road users are asked to travel with extra care and attention on Saturday morning from 5:15am – 6:30am as it is likely that roads could have surface water. Please avoid driving on flooded streets and take alternative routes instead,” they added.

There is no river (fluvial) or rain (pluvial) flooding predicted this weekend across the city, only city-centre tidal flooding due to the spring tides combined with the atmospheric weather conditions.