Water levels to peak within next 24 hours
Water levels on the river Shannon are said to be holding steady in the Midlands tonight.
The area, Athlone in particular, is braced for flooding following days of heavy rain and poor conditions.
The waterway is due to peak within the next 24 hours, already a number of families have been made homeless by the floods in Clonlara in county Clare in Limerick and Westmeath.
50 homes across the country have had to be evacuated, while more than 220 members of the Defence Forces have been deployed over the past 24 hours.
Minister Simon Harris says while the situation is calm tonight, it is not over just yet.
"We really need to see what happens with the Shannon over the next number of days, as I say we are expecting the Shannon to peak and all rivers to start peaking today and tomorrow.
"We've seen a number of smaller rivers reduce, but it is important also to say that even when the river peaks it's going to be a slow receed, this is going to go on for a number of days."
