As a result of global climate change, it is predicted that flooding will become more severe across Europe, with Ireland particularly affected. In Ireland, the rise in sea level and the more frequent and extreme storms will result in as many as 70,000 addresses being exposed to damage from coastal flooding. Some 88% of these addresses are residential, amounting to approximately 62,000 homes. The estimated insurance exposure is over €2 billion.
The most affected counties
In counties such as Louth and Clare, over 10% of addresses are at risk. In Dublin, over 23,000 addresses are in the risk zone.
Gamma LI’s analysis showed that Dublin will be the most affected county in terms of the number of addresses expected to be impacted by extreme coastal water levels, with some 23,435 properties at risk. This translates as 21,513 residential addresses and 1,922 commercial properties.
Louth (11,248) will be second most affected, with some 10,280 residential and 968 commercial properties predicted to be impacted, followed by Clare with 7,376 homes and 1,320 businesses at risk. Limerick (5,426) and Galway (4,501) rounded out the top five areas expected to be most impacted by increased flood risk as a result of climate change.
However, in terms of the proportion of addresses that are expected to be affected, Louth will be the worst with 19% of its addresses due to be impacted. The next highest is Clare (13.3%). In contrast, only 3.9% of Dublin’s addresses will be at risk.
According to Barry O’Dwyer, the lead research scientist at MaREI in UCC:
“This work builds on existing information and data for Ireland to provide a national scale estimate of the economic costs associated with projected changes in sea level and in the frequency and intensity of coastal storms. It highlights Ireland’s vulnerability to climate change and further illustrates the pressing need to take a strategic approach to development planning in our coastal areas which will be at increasing risk as the century unfolds.”