COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 09, 2026

MOTION NO. 3

MOTION: Councillor C. Brady

That this Council calls on the Chief Executive to explore the feasibility of developing a localised early warning flood system to help residents and emergency crews prepare for severe weather events, utilising existing data sources, exploiting AI technology to model scenarios, and collaborating with relevant agencies and potentially third level institutions such as TU Dublin Tallaght

REPORT:

Developing localised flood prediction systems presents considerable challenges. These challenges arise due to the varying sizes of catchment areas, multiple factors influencing flood mechanisms and flow paths, and the unpredictable rate of climate change impacts. Accurate modelling requires substantial data to minimise extrapolation. Flash floods, in particular, are difficult to forecast because of time constraints.

Social factors also play a critical role. If the public perceives forecasts as frequently inaccurate—for instance, when predicted flooding does not materialise in the location or at the scale anticipated—the effectiveness of the system can quickly diminish. This parallels the public perception of yellow rainfall warnings. Furthermore, unclear guidance on individual actions may cause anxiety among recipients, highlighting the need for careful design and implementation of such systems.

Currently, Met Eireann operates a National Flood Forecasting and Warning Service, which issues green, yellow, and red alerts for national and large river catchments. The European Flood Advisory Service (EFAS) also provides flood forecasting probability to national and local authorities across Europe. These early warning systems enable authorities to prepare for impending flooding events.

Met Eireann has announced ongoing work to develop a more localised weather warning system, set to replace county-wide alerts by the end of the year. This new system aims to deliver more targeted emergency preparedness, focusing on those most at risk. Local Authorities and the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management will contribute to the development of this approach.

The Council intends to engage with key stakeholders, including Met Eireann and academic institutions, to enhance flood risk management. For example, Met Éireann's new master programme in AI with meteorology at UCD includes aspects of flood forecasting, creating opportunities for collaboration and innovation in this field.