Study reveals power of Storm Eowyn and how Galway escaped record high flooding

Belfast Telegraph - 13:41
Storm Eowyn generated the highest storm surges ever recorded at key locations on Ireland’s western seaboard, a research team at University of Galway has revealed.

Researchers found that if Storm Eowyn had hit a few hours earlier, Galway could have faced record high winds as well as record high flooding but it escaped high water levels as the storm coincided with a low tide.

By analysing sea level information from 47 databases provided by the Irish National Tide Gauge Network and the Office of Public Works, the team based at the university’s School of Engineering has highlighted the unprecedented power of the storm’s surge – more than 2.5 metres above the mean sea level.

Storm Eowyn, one of the most powerful storms to hit Ireland in recent years, also saw record-breaking winds.

University of Galway storm surge research team Dr Niall Madden, Dr Indiana Olbert and Alexander Shchepetkin at the docks in the Port of Galway (Aengus McMahon provided by University of Galway)

The highest gust recorded was 184 km/h, with the highest 10-minute wind speed reaching 142 km/h at Mace Head Atmospheric Research Station in Co Galway.

Despite the severity of Storm Eowyn and the devastation brought by hurricane force winds and lasting damage to power and water supplies, the timing of the tides during storm landfall meant little to no flooding imp...
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