Storm Frank: Galway river levels expected to rise further

South Galway has borne the brunt of Storm Frank with river levels in the area expected to rise continuously over the coming days.

Although overnight rainfall was not as heavy as anticipated in the west, several properties succumbed to the elements in spite of efforts to keep water at bay with pumps and sandbag defences.

Galway County Council director of services Liam Gavin said the situation in parts of south Galway was “as bad now” as during the floods of November 2009.

Gauges on the rivers Shannon, Suck, Clare and Dunkellin are at critical levels, but Ballinasloe escaped the worst of the weather, and the N65 bridge across the Shannon at Portumna remains open.

However, up to 30 families in the south Galway area are still staying with relatives, with several being accommodated in hotels by Galway County Council, as floodwaters have cut off access routes to homes.

Sandbagging and pumps have kept water at bay around several houses in Labane village. Ttraffic has been diverted off the main N 18 Galway-Limerick route due to flooding on the road.

In the Shannon callows area around Clonfert, up to five houses are “under threat” of flooding, Mr Gavin said.

The N67 Kilcolgan to Kinvara route is being closely monitored, he said, with preparations underway in case the road should flood.

Eight houses in Fohanagh, west of Ahascragh, are cut off and families are using a low loader to travel to and from their homes.

Minor roads are affected around Peterswell, Skehanagh, Kilternan, Tierneevin and Ballynasteigue.

Craughwell village is still clear, but the Dunkellin river level, which rises and falls rapidly, is being closely monitored and sandbagging remains in place.

In Mayo, the area around the Neale is still underwater, and a number of minor roads are also affected- along with thousands of acres of farmland.

With rain continuing to fall across the west on Wednesday, conditions are expected to remain critical over the next few days.