Closing the floodgates – a vital defence against climate change

Our urban drainage systems are struggling to cope with climate-induced rising sea levels and heavier rainfall. With lives and livelihoods increasingly threatened by floods[1], how can Ireland prepare?

Under current projections, the sea level around Ireland’s coast is expected to be 30cm higher by 2050[2], rising to a worrying one metre increaseby the turn of the century[3].

According to environmental geography expert Dr Darren Clarke, the flood threat requires swift intervention from policymakers.

Marie Donnelly, chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council, agrees: “It looks and feels like a long time away but if we’re going to take preventative action, we have to do it now,” she said.

With much of the world grappling with the same problems, there are many innovative solutions we could take inspiration from.

Here are just a few.

How to solve a problem like Venice

Venice is gradually sinking into the Adriatic, making it particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels. But being a world-renowned heritage site posed a dilemma: how could Venice be kept dry without interfering with its iconic architecture?

On paper, Moses – the mile long, bright yellow barrier installed around the Venice lagoon – sounds like an eyesore. However, it’s almost always invisible. Each of its 78 gates lie submerged during still waters. Only when the waters rise above 3.6ft are they filled with air and brought to the surface. Once in place, they can keep out tides of up to three metres, ensuring the lagoon stays calm. The barriers stay up until the tide recedes before being filled with water and sunk back below the seabed.

Moses’ first test in 2020 was a success. A 173cm tide that would usually put 80% of the city under water was blocked at source, while even the low-lying St Mark’s square was kept dry[4].

Hidden protection for tourist spot

With its golden sands and bustling boulevard, Scheveningen Beach is one of the Netherland’s most popular seaside resorts. So when a much-needed flood barrier risked pushing tourists away, the authorities needed to find a discreet alternative.

Only an old staircase vanishing into the sand gives the Scheveningen Boulevard Coastal Barrier away. One mile long and 36ft high, the concrete wall is buried beneath 85 million cubits of dredged sand[5]. Artificially increasing the height and width of the beach, the lashing waves are unable to reach the boulevard with any dangerous force.

Maximising its space-saving credentials, the top of the barrier was fashioned into an attractive esplanade. Offering panoramic views of the North Sea, the picnic areas, sculpture garden, and waterpark have helped to make the barrier a tourist attraction in its own right.

Can you make a whole town flood proof?

When Hurricane Ian hit in Florida in September 2022, catastrophic flooding caused $112bn of damage and 150 deaths. But for the developers of Babcock Ranch, which survived unscathed, the storm was the vindication they’d been hoping for[6].

Babcock opened in 2020 after years of planning and thoughtful design. The developers avoided building on the natural water flows and the absorbent wetlands, allowing flooding to occur unimpeded away from homes and businesses. For good measure, the streets were paved with permeable tarmac. Meanwhile, the many golf courses and lakes aren’t just for leisure – they act as retaining ponds to collect heavy rainfall.

So when Hurricane Ian hit, the town was ready. Suffering little more than a few upturned road signs, the town opened its doors to help those in the surrounding communities who’d lost their homes.

Flood-threatened homes need quality protection

Flood defence projects are often controversial. Expensive to build and not always pleasing on the eye, policymakers need to tread carefully.

"Every city and country has its own hurdles to overcome, and this requires bespoke solutions created by the people who know those areas intimately," said sustainable urban planner Fabio Carrera[7].

At DUAL, we’ll pay up to €10,000 for flood prevention systems installed by your client following a flood claim, free of any excess.

Sometimes the source of the slow leak can be hard to trace, especially in older properties. DUAL’s Private Client policy allows a thorough investigation into the tracing of leaks, with high limits for investigations and repairs. This helps to ensure the job gets done properly and avoid further issues down the line.

Meanwhile, our Private Client policy provides wide-ranging cover on water risks to buildings, contents, and valuables up to the value of the building’s sum insured.

Sometimes, a flood can force your clients to evacuate their home. DUAL is a helpful partner here, too. We cover up to three years of alternative accommodation, and €15,000 for essential purchases.

For Private Client insurance, speak to DUAL Ireland.

Kerri Ryan is an Underwriter for DUAL Underwriting Ireland DAC. DUAL specialise, amongst other areas, in high net worth personal insurance in Ireland and are backed by Aviva. DUAL Underwriting Ireland DAC (trading as DUAL Private Client) is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Registered No. 633531. Registered office: 98 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 D02 V324.

DUAL Underwriting Ireland DAC is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK, number 984393, registered address: One Creechurch Place, London, EC3A 5AF, United Kingdom.