The midwest is bracing itself for further flooding after army personnel were deployed to the Shannon Banks estate in Corbally outside Limerick city last night where 20 homes were evacuated because of rising flood waters in the River Shannon.
Limerick County Council has warned of further flooding along the lower River Shannon owing to increasing levels of water in the Shannon system.
According to the local authority, unprecedented rainfall levels and resultant record flooding along the river necessitated an increase in the amount of water that had to be released at Parteen Weir by the ESB yesterday.
The discharge levels at the ESB weir had been growing in recent days and resulted in the “unavoidable release of higher volumes of water downstream” it said.
The ESB said this afternoon that while water levels in Lough Derg stabilised overnight, further rainfall is forecast for today and inflows to the lake remain high. It said it would not be increasing the level of water release at Parteen Weir today but the situation was under review.
Limerick City Council said its crisis management team was continuing following yesterday's flood warning.
"It has been confirmed that there is no immediate threat of flooding to properties within the administrative area of the City Council," it said in a statement. "While land in the Limerick City administrative area has been flooded there has been no flood damage caused to houses or businesses."
The council said pedestrian walkways along the canal are closed and members of the public are advised to stay away from them and any flooded land.
Defence forces trucks and flat bottom boats have been made available, and hundreds of sandbags are in use in the Corbally area and other areas at risk on the outskirts of Limerick including Clonlara, O’Briensbridge Montpelier and Castleconnell.
The Clare Crisis Management Centre this evening issued a severe flood risk warning to all parts of Clare, as well as repeating its warning of further flooding along the lower River Shannon over the coming days. The warnings
were issued following further heavy rainfall across the county today.
Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea visited Shannon Banks last night to speak with affected families, some of whom spent the night in Jury’s Inn.
Speaking this morning, Mr O'Dea said the Cabinet would this afternoon discuss "tightening up procedures" and that he would ask the army to remain on standby to take part in the clean-up operation.
The Minister said the Government was also working on a strategy to adapt to the consequences of climate change. "It's going to involve cost at a difficult time, but it's just something we'll have to face up to."
Mr O'Dea also conceded the role of building development as a factor in the recent flooding. "There is no doubt about it that in view of what it now taking place, a lot of the planning decisions that have been taken look particularly bad," adding some were "hugely inappropriate" and "totally inexplicable".
People living close to flood prone areas along the lower river Shannon have been advised to familiarise themselves with evacuation procedures, as outlined on www.flooding.ie.
Limerick County Council is advising customers from Montpelier downstream to Limerick city to familiarise themselves with a number of actions, as outlined on the website.
Some of actions that can be undertaken immediately according to the local authority include:
- Be prepared to evacuate your home or business.
- Have warm clothing and wellingtons ready.
- Have medication to hand (if needed).
- Put sandbags at any openings where the water could gain access.
- Move your car to high ground if possible.