Country narrowly avoided unprecedented damage

Researchers said that had these surges occurred a week earlier during the spring tide, the water levels would have been much higher.

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The data predicted the water level at Galway Port would have reached 4.96m, Limerick Dock at 5.85m, and Shannon Airport at 5.43m above mean sea level, inundating the areas.

Dr Indiana Olbert, from the School of Engineering at the University of Galway, said: "Extensive research suggests that flooding has increased in frequency and severity in recent decades around the world and this is attributed to climate change.