Water Safety Ireland has issued an urgent safety appeal to boat owners, marina users, and coastal communities, as heavy rain is forecast to cause significant flooding.
The agency warns that rapidly rising water levels can turn harbours, rivers, canals and coastal paths into hazardous environments in a short space of time.
“Floodwater may conceal open manholes, debris and strong currents,” Water Safety Ireland said.
People are advised to stay well back from rivers, streams, canals and coastal edges during and after heavy rain, as banks and edges can collapse without warning.
Fast-moving water can knock a person off their feet, even at low depths, and boaters are reminded that pontoons and slipways may be submerged or unstable.
If someone is swept away, they are advised not to put their feet down to avoid entrapment on hidden objects, but to float on their back and move towards calmer, shallower water if possible.
Children should never play near floodwater, particularly around marinas, boatyards, quays or piers.
On the roads, Water Safety Ireland is urging drivers to avoid routes that are flooded, especially near rivers, bridges, underpasses and low-lying coastal stretches.
Depth and road damage are often impossible to judge in poor light, and even shallow, fast-moving water can lift a vehicle and sweep it into adjacent waterways.
The public is also being reminded to treat all floodwater as contaminated.
Where contact cannot be avoided, people should wash thoroughly afterwards and discard any food, baby items or medicines that have been in contact with floodwater.
Families and communities are encouraged to supervise children at all times near flooded areas and to check on older neighbours or people with mobility issues to ensure they are informed and safe.
In an emergency, Water Safety Ireland is clear that people should not enter floodwater to attempt a rescue.
Members of the public should use public ringbuoys or other reaching aids where available and call 112 or 999, asking for the Coast Guard.
