VIDEO: Storm Frank takes its toll as wind and rain continues
In Cork, the ESB has said they have increased the discharge levels from Inniscarra Dam to a rate of 250 cumecs. This discharge level will be kept under continuous review and the ESB noted that the discharge rate may need to be increased further.
In a statement released by Cork City Council they added that the Carrigrohane Road and Lee Road will stay closed and are likely to continue to be flooded for the next few days. Traffic diversions are in place.
There is no flooding expected for Cork city centre as of now.
The National Emergency Co-ordination group met in Dublin earlier to discuss the reoccurring flooding.
Chief Executive of Galway City Council Brendan McGrath, represented the Local Authorities' response to the flooding situation.
He has said teams have been deployed where needed: “The areas worst affected have been Cork, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, and the counties along the Shannon catchment,
“The necessary resources have been deployed, we are liaising at local level with the other principle response agencies, and our crews will remain active for as long as is necessary to deal with the current challenge.”
The family home of mother of four Geraldine Quinlivan in Springfield in Clonlara in south east Clare has been destroyed in the floods.
It is the third time her house has been flooded.
She says she can't take anymore and she's calling for proper flood defences to be put in place: “ We’re fighting this flood water from the Shannon from December 8 until now.
“This can’t go on, it really can’t, something has to be done with it, if we get over this, something has to be done about it.”
The Fermoy Bridge serving N72/R639 will be closed to vehicular traffic and pedestrians within the next hour or two.
The Civil Defence will gradually close down lanes one by one until the full closure is needed and offer a free mini bus service to ferry people between both sides of the town when the bridge is closed, via the toll road.
It will start at the Pearse Square side.
The predicted peak of 5.0m is scheduled to hit between 9pm to midnight tonight and it is likely that bridge closure barriers will be left in place until day break tomorrow morning.
The ESB has said the flow of water through the Parteen Weir is remaining at its current level of 440 cubic metres per second.
The situation will be reviewed again tomorrow.
It is feared the levels in Lough Derg may reach those seen in 2009 in the coming days and, as a result, the flow through Parteen Weir may increase to 2009 levels, which was up to 500 cumecs, in the coming days.
This could lead to more flooding to land and property around the River Shannon downstream of Parteen Weir.
The Promenade in Tramore, Co Waterford has been battered by high winds and waves.
Photographer Noel Browne was there this morning and he said a number of areas are under water: “A rough night in Tramore last night and even rougher this morning on the Prom.
“It’s unbelievable now, high tide was at 9am and an hour later the water is still very high, the lake is flooded, everything, it is just unbelievable.”
#StormFrank making his presence known in #Waterford #Tramore pic.twitter.com/1hwEjxujI7
— Ann Power (@PowerhousePR) December 30, 2015
Kilkenny has also been badly hit by flooding - a number of elderly residents have been evacuated from their homes in Graignamanagh.
Chef and broadcaster Edward Hayden said: “There are some derelict buildings on the main street they were all just washed out, there is a back river, that flooded very extensively and the water just went in through the back door out onto the main street and now of course the river Barrow has flooded and the main street here is covered in about two or three feet of water.
“Local residents, elderly residents had to be evacuated out of their homes by the fire services.”
The Cork region has experienced severe weather over the past 24 hours.
The ESB have been discharging water from Inniscarra Dam at 180 cumecs, but they are looking to increase the rate to 250 cumecs by 12pm today.
The situation is being monitored closely.
Carrigrohane Road and Lee Road have been closed and diversions are in place.
Ballinasloe is said to be 'safe for now' as flood prevention measures in the town are so far proving effective.
A temporary flood barrier has recently been installed, extra sandbags have been distributed, and water pumps have been running.
Businesses in the St Michael's Square area were badly affected in the aftermath of Storm Desmond, and the army had to be drafted in to assist council workers.
Cathaoirleach of the Ballinasloe district, Councillor Michael Finnerty, has told Galway Bay FM the situation in the town is under control: “Things are working out well, the river hasn’t reached the heights of two weeks ago, but all the sandbags are in place and the pumps are running.
“ The water level has risen since yesterday as we expected, but it isn’t as bad as two weeks ago and we are better prepared.”
To check road closures in your area, log onto the AA Roadwatch, traffic by county by clicking here.
There is widespread flooding and power outages across the country as Storm Frank continues to wreak havoc.
The Atlantic coast has been among the worst affected - with 70 millimetres of rain and gusts of up to 120 kilometres per hour.
Many roads are closed - and four weather warnings remain in place until this afternoon.
Met Éireann forecaster Joan Blackburn, has said the wind and rain should finally ease later today.
The ESB has already warned that water levels in Lough Derg are likely to reach 2009 levels today and tomorrow.
This is expected to result in an increase in flow through the Parteen Weir on the River Shannon - which may lead to further flooding.
Emergency services and county council workers were inundated last night in County Cork with several areas under water.
Bandon, Macroom and Glanmire have all reported serious flooding.
Road closure details from .@corkcitycouncil #Cork #StormFrank pic.twitter.com/4xekYTdfK1
— Eoin English (@EoinBearla) December 30, 2015
AA Roadwatch is reporting many roads are closed or impassable due to flooding.
A number of ferry sailings were cancelled overnight due to the adverse weather.
P and O ferries say their sailings will resume at 7.30am this morning.
Passengers can call 01 304 44 88 77 for the latest information.
