LATEST: Clonlara suffers another rise in water levels; ESB warn people to stay clear of electricity lines
Clare County Council said that water levels on the Lower River Shannon at Springfield, Clonlara, have risen two inches following overnight rainfall.
Water levels are now approximately 4-5 inches below the November 2009 peak level, which was reached on Saturday night last.
The Council says 8mm of rainfall during Wednesday evening and overnight has contributed to the rise in water levels but that "further increases are not anticipated during today (Thursday) as the ESB has confirmed its decision to maintain the flow of water downstream from Parteen Weir at 470 cubic metres per second (cumecs).
"Clare County Council Area staff, assisted by The Defence Forces, are continuing to provide support on the ground in Springfield, as well as assist in the transportation of residents of properties isolated by floodwaters."
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ESB Networks is warning emergency services and members of the public to take care when moving around flooded areas in boats.
It says clearance under power lines may be affected in flooding and it could be dangerous to pass under them.
Anyone who sees sagging electricity lines, or wires submerged in water, is asked to avoid them, not to touch them, and to contact the ESB.
Residents in Athlone say they have reached the tipping point when it comes to flooding - and are calling for something serious to be done.
Stephen O'Leary has been one of many people manning pumps in Athlone town, in a bid to keep the water levels down.
“There is a little talk about rain coming down from the mountains and what that’ll bring, but we’ll just have to wait and see,” he said.
“But the sandbags are doing their job.
“There’s a serious set-up here, and a lot of people have put a lot of work in.
“Something seriously needs to be done, it’s very hard to know, but I think it needs to be a joined-up effort, and sometimes you need to get to a tipping point – and if this isn’t a tipping point, I don’t know what is.”
Around 1,000 homes and businesses are without electricity this morning.
The ESB is reporting power outages in Malahide and Fairview in north Dublin, in Bannagher, Co Offaly, in Kilmeaden, Co Waterford and in Westport, Co Mayo.
Around 700 of those affected are in Malahide, where there was a single tripping fault.
The ESB says that fault was probably not caused by rain last night.
Service should be restored to homes in Dublin this morning, and in other parts of the country by the afternoon.
A number of flood alerts remain in place following heavy rain overnight.
Up to 25 millimetres was forecast across the country, with counties Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath the worst affected.
Met Éireann says conditions are expected to improve today, and there are no weather warnings currently in effect.
Sunshine coming your way today? Here's your answer. Peter pic.twitter.com/bYHDWXrxWn
— BBC Weather (@bbcweather) January 7, 2016
However, flooding remains a problem in a number of areas, with some national and regional roads still under water.
WICKLOW: Rathdrum to Woodenbridge Rd (R752) closed at Castlemacadam due to flooding. Local diversions are in place. https://t.co/EY0qAdZlYs
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) January 7, 2016
