ATHLONE:RESIDENTS OF flood-hit areas of Athlone, Co Westmeath, had their bags packed last night in anticipation of the Shannon waters engulfing their homes.
The water levels at Athlone Lock were already 50 centimetres over the highest on record yesterday and plans were in place to continue evacuating residents.
Yesterday evening a constant stream of vehicles was delivering sandbags from the temporary Army base in the carpark of the Shamrock Lodge Hotel.
Operations officer Lieut Colin Waters, who was co-ordinating activities at the base, said about 150 Army personnel were involved in the sandbagging operation.
“Quite a number” of people had been evacuated from their homes by the Army, gardaí and the local authority, he said.
Those in need of assistance should contact the council, he said.
“Obviously if it is immediate we will look after it straight away but we are trying to get the message out to contact the council so they can prioritise the work and then task us.”
A short distance down the road at the Millbank estate, resident Ann Woods was keeping vigil as the water approached her home.
She was critical of the council’s response to the emergency. “It is after getting worse today. We weren’t told what to do.
“No-one has come near us to say that if it does get worse here’s a number. The council hasn’t come near us at all. The Army came yesterday and gave us the bags,” she said.
Ms Woods was waiting for the floodwaters to hit. “I have my cases packed, my brother came down today and he put my television up in the room.
“We have power at the moment but we won’t have power eventually, that’s what they are saying.”
She and other residents claimed some evacuated houses had been looted, but this was denied by gardaí.
The fear of looters had even prevented some residents from leaving, Ms Woods said.
“Across the road here they are all gone apart from one family and they don’t want to leave their house in case of a break-in.”
Despite the concerns of residents, there had been no incidents of looting, said Sgt John Lawless at Athlone Garda station.
“That’s a rumour that has been going around the place,” he said. However, gardaí had extra patrols working and were using the Garda Patrol Boat as well as four-wheel-drive vehicles to ensure evacuated areas were secure.
Another Millbank estate resident, Elaine Monahan, was also convinced looting had taken place. She claimed four homes were broken into following evacuations.
“The council are not there like they should be.
“The ESB have been out, the guards are keeping a vigilant eye out but where are the council when you need them? Nothing has been done for us, nothing,” she said. She had been boiling discoloured water to drink and was unsure if her electricity would remain for the night.
Ms Monahan said sewage was coming up through drains and mixing with the floodwater.
“We have a sewer problem now at the minute. We are after hearing the water is going to rise another four inches,” Ms Monahan added.
Ms Monahan was annoyed that the Government was to means test those seeking compensation for the floods.