Local authorities in County Cork, south-western Ireland, reported extensive tidal flooding in coastal areas early on 20 October, 2020.

Cork County Council said “storm surge coupled with spring tides have been the major contributory factors. A southerly wind direction and high wind speeds coinciding with high tides had the effect of increasing the tide significantly.” The storm surge and high winds are likely associated with Storm Barbara that moved over Portugal and is making its way across western Europe.
In County Cork, areas of the city of Cork were among the worst hit, with the towns of Bantry, Kinsale and Youghal were also badly affected.
A high tide late on 19 October caused some flooding in Cork city, but more severe flooding was to come from the early morning tide of 08:35 on 20 October. Motorists were asked to avoid Cork City Centre early on 20 October. Local media described it some of the the worst tidal flooding in the city in the last 10 years. Several streets close to the River Lee were under water up to 1 metre deep. Homes and in particular businesses in the area suffered significant material damages.
Cork City government said on 20 October that “Cork City Council Operations crews, Cork City Fire Brigade and Cork City Civil Defence are on site to assist as serious flooding has occurred on low lying quays, Oliver Plunkett Street, South Mall, with waters coming up Caroline Street and Winthrop Street.”

Social Media
Water is pouring down Oliver Plunkett St at 8.48am this morn.
Your heart goes out to city’s traders so pls folks, when we get the place cleaned up #shoplocal like never before @LEOCorkCity @CBA_cork @CorkChamber #COVID19ireland pic.twitter.com/a94vxhYg4j
— Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) October 20, 2020
Swift Water Responder teams with @corkcitycouncil operations crews and @CorkCityFire are currently providing support to some business premises in #Cork city following flood damage this am. pic.twitter.com/eHoKT982m1
— CorkCityCivilDefence (@cc_civildefence) October 20, 2020
Thanks to our #Volunteers who are deployed around #Cork this morning with @CorkCityFire and @corkcitycouncil operations crews to assist with serious flooding this am ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/Kmh0FuZr3y
— CorkCityCivilDefence (@cc_civildefence) October 20, 2020
Sterling work being done by the crews emptying gullies on Sth Terrace & South Mall & removing sand bags and gel bags after the flood receded.
A suction tanker hoovers up water on Oliver Plunkett St
Council crews pumped water from 2 homes on Probys Quay. #corkfloods pic.twitter.com/UMYsVNayCS
— Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) October 20, 2020
Youghal Fire Brigade and @Corkcoco Roads staff and @GardaTraffic currently dealing with flooding in Youghal. Please avoid the quays area of the town. pic.twitter.com/Nq4iyxz34j
— Cork County Fire Service (@corkcountyfire) October 20, 2020
Bantry town is currently impassable due to tidal flooding. Please do not attempt to travel through the town for the next hour while high tide subsides. pic.twitter.com/6ZH4IOpZm5
— Cork County Council (@Corkcoco) October 20, 2020