National Flood Forecasting and Warning Service

Met Éireann’s Flood Forecasting Centre is being developed as part of a government wide approach to flooding in line with international best practices. The development of the Met Éireann Flood Forecasting Centre is an ongoing multi-stage process and a key component of the broader National Flood Forecasting and Warning Service, led by the Office of Public Works (OPW).

The initial planning and testing phase of the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Service has been completed (Stage 1), and as a key part of this, the Met Éireann Flood Forecasting Centre has been operational since early 2024. At present, the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Service provides guidance and advice to emergency management stakeholders and Local Authorities.

While the role of the Flood Forecasting Centre will evolve in support of the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Service, it currently provides tailored operational flood forecasting services and related guidance to the Irish Local Authorities and state emergency responders.

Flood warning services are envisaged to be provided by the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Service as the service matures through a multi-stakeholder collaborative development process involving the OPW, Local Authorities and Met Éireann.

The current work of the Flood Forecasting Centre

A team of hydrometeorologists work at Met Éireann’s Flood Forecasting Centre analysing hydrological, oceanographical and meteorological information to produce flood forecasts and guidance specifically for Local Authorities and state emergency responders.

The Flood Forecasting Centre provides tailored guidance information based on observational data and Met Éireann’s flood forecast models to support decision-making by emergency management and Local Authorities associated with putting in place coordinated responses to flooding at a local level.

Overall, the current work undertaken by the Flood Forecasting Centre includes;

• Producing flood forecasts based on the analysis of model outputs
• Providing flood forecasts and guidance and briefings to the National Directorate of Fire and Emergency Management, the Local Authorities and Emergency Responders, informing their preparedness and response to potential flood events. The Flood Forecasting Centre’s services to these key stakeholders include flood analysis training, briefings and direct support, to decision makers prior and during potentially impactful events, in order to maximise public protection and safety
• Providing flood forecasts of coastal and river flooding at national and broad river catchment level, based on expert interpretation and analysis of model outputs

Figure 1 : River catchments currently used in Met Éireann’s broad-scale river modelling.

• Developing, maintaining and optimising flood forecast models for the Irish rivers and coastline. Currently Met Éireann has developed 36 river catchment models for Ireland’s major river catchments (excluding Northern Ireland’s 3 catchments). Development is ongoing to refine and augment this modelling capability through expansion of hydrometric observations with our partners in the OPW and the Local Authorities
• Analysing and monitoring Met Éireann’s meteorological data and hydrometrical observational data from rivers and ocean from a number of networks run by partner organisations across Ireland, including the OPW, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Marine Institute, Commissioner of Irish Lights, Transport Ireland, Local Authorities, ESB and Department of Infrastructure (Northern Ireland)

Useful flood-related information

• OPW’s flooding.ie provides information that aims to raise awareness of the dangers of flooding and measures that can be taken to minimise the damage that can be caused during an event
• OPW’s floodinfo.ie – provides flood maps showing areas at risk of flooding
• Office of Emergency Planning @emergencyIE (on X) provides safety guidance during severe weather events
• Office of Emergency Planning Be Winter Ready campaign provides practical advice from a number of state sources to “Be Prepared, Stay Safe and know where to find help should you need it”. It has a specific section on flooding advice

For enquiries, please contact flood.queries@met.ie