Storm Chandra Caused €26 Million Insured Damages in Ireland, Climate Risks Worsen

Ireland faces increasing vulnerability to extreme weather, with storms and flooding becoming more frequent and severe. Storm Chandra in January 2026 alone resulted in approximately €26 million in insured damages. Experts warn that climate breakdown will worsen these events, leading to more devastation for homes, infrastructure, and buildings in 2027 and beyond.

Deirdre Duffy, CEO of Friends of the Earth Ireland, highlights that Ireland’s first National Climate Change Risk Assessment identified 115 climate risks, with 43 already significant and four priority risks requiring urgent action within five years. These priorities include flooding to homes, risks to water supply, energy infrastructure, and ecosystems/biodiversity.

Annunziata Esposito Amideo, UCD Smurfit Business School, stresses the need for a thorough risk assessment of current public and private infrastructure to identify and implement mitigation measures. The Environmental Protection Agency acknowledges government efforts but notes that current preparedness, delivery, resourcing, and accountability are insufficient for emerging risks. A holistic approach to disaster management, focusing on built-in infrastructure resilience and community education, is crucial.

Duffy criticizes the government's short-term strategies, which prioritize fossil fuels (e.g., a new gas terminal in Shannon and data center expansion) over sustainable measures for energy security. She emphasizes that integrating adaptation planning into the revised National Planning Framework, with political prioritization and holistic delivery, is essential to better futureproof Ireland’s infrastructure.