50 homes evacuated as task force warns of further flooding
Around 50 houses have had to be evacuated because of flooding, with more at risk today according to the government task force.
Water levels on the lower River Shannon are expected to peak later while the ESB has increased the flow from Parteen Weir to over 26 million litres a minute, and could lead to further floods.
River Shannon flooding at Parteen Weir https://t.co/yb3NuZw47h
— Petula Martyn (@petulamartyn) December 13, 2015
ESB said the flow increase was required to cope with the volume of water accumulating upstream in Lough Derg.
An ESB spokesman said: “This level of water flow is likely to lead to increased flooding of roads, land and property in the vicinity of the Shannon downstream of Parteen Weir including the areas of Springfield, Montpelier, Castleconnell, Mountshannon (Annacotty) and the University of Limerick.”
Ardnacrusha canal beside Parteen Weir. https://t.co/0vl42KmVck
— Petula Martyn (@petulamartyn) December 13, 2015
Further up the Shannon, Athlone remained on flooding alert.
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We got 'no warning' of flooding, say residents of Limerick estate
Over 700 members of the Defence Forces were deployed this week, with emergency services remaining on stand-by in case of further flooding.
Services try to deal with serious flooding in Corbally #Limerick pic.twitter.com/xbBmOcrWY7
— Live95 News (@Live95fmNews) December 13, 2015
Fire-fighters were using heavily lifting machinery today in an effort to move some flooded vehicles.
A school, a number of homes and an electric sub-station were caught in rising waters when a canal burst its banks in the Corbally area of Limerick.
ESB substation flooded at Grove Island, Limerick #Limerick pic.twitter.com/XyQxa7dEfZ
— Live95 News (@Live95fmNews) December 13, 2015
LIMERICK: The Corbally Rd remains closed due to flooding near Westbury. https://t.co/qvBPcgxUj8
— The AA Ireland (@aaroadwatch) December 13, 2015
Elsewhere in the city, cars belonging to a number of rugby fans who attended the Munster vs Leicester Tigers game at Thomond Park on Saturday night were almost entirely submerged in water.
Munster rugby fans from Cork parked their cars here and went to match. Returned to find cars in flood water. pic.twitter.com/T7hoosftu8
— Petula Martyn (@petulamartyn) December 13, 2015
After the meeting, a spokesman said: “Local authorities remain on standby and continue to monitor the situation and in the areas where further flooding may occur – the necessary preparations are supplemented by the Defence Forces and other service providers when and where required.”
John Barry, chairman of the task force, said that many roads have been damaged in the floods.
"There has been some significant flooding on roadways and some damage to roadways across the country.
"[That] would be more common than properties being affected.
"Families and people that have had to move from their homes, they've had accommodation provided by local authorities."
Met Éireann said rain across Munster and south Leinster would slowly move northwards through Sunday bringing some persistent falls to Atlantic coastal fringes.
Further outbreaks of rain &drzl with mist patches but clearer weather in S extending N'wards.
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) December 13, 2015
Cold in N at 3-6C, temps further S 10-12C.
Forecaster Gerald Fleming has said that the country see more rainfall in the coming day, but it is not expected to be as heavy as this past week.
"As we look at the week ahead, we expect a windy week, we expect a mild week, we expect a fairly wet week," he said,
"We don't expect, at the moment, to have the rainfall into warnings territory - but having said that, overall, every day this week will bring it's share of rain."
