Winter 2023–2024 Multi-Storm Flooding

The 2023–24 flooding season was driven by an exceptionally active North Atlantic jet stream positioned across the British Isles and Ireland, channelling a rapid succession of named storms directly at the island from October through January.

Storm Babet (18–19 October 2023) triggered the worst flooding. Extreme rainfall in East Cork — over 100 mm in 24 hours in some stations — overwhelmed the River Owenacurra and its tributaries, causing catastrophic flooding in Midleton town. The scale of flooding was described as unprecedented in the town's recorded history.

Storm Ciarán (1–2 November 2023) brought severe flooding to Clonmel, Co. Tipperary and parts of Kilkenny, with the Suir reaching record levels. Storm Debi, Elin, Fergus and Gerrit continued the pattern through December and into January 2024, hitting Cork, Limerick and Galway repeatedly and preventing any meaningful recovery between events.

Sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic were significantly above average in late 2023 — a factor associated with intensified storm systems. This is consistent with long-term climate trends and represents a preview of conditions that may become more frequent.

Midleton, County Cork was the most severely affected community in the 2023–24 season. On 18–19 October 2023, Storm Babet brought extreme rainfall to East Cork at a rate and volume the drainage infrastructure could not handle. The River Owenacurra and associated watercourses burst their banks, flooding Midleton town centre with over a metre of water in some locations. Hundreds of homes and businesses were inundated. The town's schools, shops and community facilities were severely damaged. Midleton was described by local authorities as having suffered a "catastrophic" event.

In Clonmel, Storm Ciarán caused the Suir to reach levels not seen in decades, overtopping flood defences that had been constructed after previous events. Quay areas and the town centre were flooded. Emergency services were deployed across Tipperary and Kilkenny.

Cork city's Lee catchment flooded again in Storm Debi in November and Storm Elin in December, with the Carrigrohane and Fitzgerald's Park gauge stations recording levels close to the 2009 peaks on multiple occasions within two months.

Limerick city's quays flooded repeatedly as the Shannon remained elevated throughout the winter. Galway's Corrib system reached high levels in Storms Fergus and Gerrit.

The cumulative effect was severe: communities that had recovered from one flood event were hit again before insurance claims were processed, before defences were restored, and in many cases before homes were habitable again.

Recovery from the 2023–24 floods was complicated by the multi-event nature of the season. Midleton in particular faced an extremely difficult situation, with the town centre devastated and many businesses facing the question of whether to rebuild in a location that might flood again.

The Irish government announced a specific Midleton Flood Relief Scheme and fast-tracked planning for emergency temporary flood defences. The OPW committed to accelerating flood relief schemes across the affected areas.

Insurance became a critical issue again: large numbers of properties in the affected areas could not get flood cover, and many business owners faced total losses without compensation. The government agreed to expand the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme and extended supports to businesses for the first time.

As of early 2024, many affected communities were still in the active recovery phase, with the full economic cost still being assessed. Preliminary estimates put total damage at €250 million or more across the season.