WEATHER:Parts of the south and southwest are bracing themselves for further flooding with more rain forecast for today. Cork and Kerry are likely to experience 25mm (an inch) of rain as the Atlantic depressions which caused record levels of rainfall show no signs of abating.
The rain is likely to spread to all parts of the country by the end of today. Conditions in the south are likely to get better towards the end of the week with cool, blustery conditions, but frequent showers are forecast for the west and northwest as the week progresses.
Met Éireann forecaster Vincent O’Shea said there was a “very big risk” there could be further flooding this week.
“Today will be the worst day in terms of rainfall totals,” he said. “We are expecting more showery conditions for the rest of the week especially in Atlantic coastal areas.”
Mr O’Shea said the wet weather was a direct result of the north Atlantic jetstream, which had been over the country for the last fortnight. “There is no great conclusive proof that the rainfall is caused by global warming but it’s very likely,” he said.
CARLOW
Sections of Carlow town, where the river Barrow burst its banks four days ago, were still flooded last night. A number of streets are closed and traffic diversions will continue to operate today.
John Carley, director of services with Carlow County Council, said the water level, which had subsided slightly over the weekend, rose again yesterday morning but “stabilised” by mid-afternoon. He said outdoor council workers with Siptu had agreed not to participate in today’s strike and would continue to assist with flood relief efforts.
Businesses in the village of Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow, and along the quay at Graiguenamanagh, Co Kilkenny, have been flooded for four days with no sign of the water abating. The water level on the river Nore in Co Kilkenny has dropped.
The River Suir burst its banks last week and while the water level dropped yesterday, the quays in Clonmel, Co Tipperary were still flooded and the authorities remain on high alert.
ENNIS
The clean-up was continuing in Ennis, Co Clare, yesterday as flood levels continued to recede. Last night, 108 people – mainly from the local authority Oakwood Drive estate in Ennis – were continuing to receive emergency shelter at the West County Hotel in Ennis.
The residents have been staying at the hotel since last Friday when they were rescued by boat from their homes by Army personnel.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has stated that community welfare officers, doctors, childcare and social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists have worked through the last number of days to assist the families at the hotel.
The HSE has also confirmed that Capphard Lodge with 28 residents is still closed and they remain at Ennis General Hospital.
GALWAY
Some hours before Taoiseach Brian Cowen began his visit to Galway, gardaí had to be called to Claregalway when a Prison Service van transporting three prisoners from Castlerea Prison, Co Roscommon, to Galway court became trapped in flooding on the Clare river bridge. Gardaí from Galway transported the prisoners into the city in a Garda van. The Prison Service said it was an unfortunate incident, but the prisoners had made court on time.
In Ballinasloe, more than 100 families had to leave their homes and more than 12 businesses were flooded. HSE West has assisted Galway County Council in providing emergency accommodation in Ballinasloe for families in St Brigid’s Hospital and in a local hotel. A boil water notice is in force in the town and surrounding areas since the river Suck burst its banks last week.
ROSCOMMON
Roscommon County Council issued a precautionary boil water notice yesterday for Castlerea and surrounding areas. It has also issued a precautionary boil water notice for Four Roads/Mount Talbot. Forty patients were relocated from a nursing home in Roscommon over the weekend by the Civil Defence and local roads have been closed.
OFFALY
Mr Cowen has been made aware of flooding at Shannon Harbour, Shannonbridge and Banagher in Co Offaly. A number of houses and a pub have been flooded in Shannon Harbour. Homes were also flooded in Banagher, where several more houses were in danger from rising water levels yesterday evening. A similar situation arose in Shannonbridge, where council staff are using sandbags and pumps to prevent homes from being flooded.
Local councillor Sinéad Moylan- Ryan (FF) contacted Mr Cowen in relation to the matter. “Brian Cowen has been made aware of the situation in Shannon Harbour. I have been on the phone to him. He is well aware of what is happening,” she said.
ON THE ROADS
Several major routes are affected by flooding. The N6 is closed through Ballinasloe and motorists can use the unopened motorway.
Other major routes in Co Galway affected by the floods include the N17 at Claregalway, and the N18 between Galway and Gort. The N4 is closed at the Tesco supermarket on approaches to Carrick-on-Shannon and local diversions are in place.
The N71, N72 and N22 roads in Co Cork are passable with care.
Iarnród Éireann rail services between Galway and Dublin have resumed, but there are still bus transfers between Longford and Carrick-on-Shannon on the Dublin-Sligo line.
It is hoped Dart services will resume this morning after the line between Dalkey and Bray was suspended to allow for remedial works on a retaining wall south of Dalkey. Eircom has said its crews have restored telephone services to 20,000 customers. The company received 600 new fault reports yesterday.
– Reports by Ronan McGreevy, Michael Parsons, Lorna Siggins, Gordon Deegan and Eoghan MacConnell