FLOODING UPDATE: Water levels in the River Shannon rising

Water levels in the River Shannon are continuing to rise slowly and are being monitored by Westmeath County Council, amid fears that there will be a repeat of the devastating floods of 2009 in Athlone.

Several vulnerable areas including The Park, Deerpark Road, Golden Island, Carrick-o-brien, The Strand, Brick Island and Wolfe Tone Terrace are in severe danger of flooding, many of whom are just managing to stem the tide of water with pumps and sandbags.

Since yesterday, water levels increased by approximately 100mm, according to the local authority.

The Council is in receipt of data from the ESB which predicts that water levels will continue to rise for the next four days and may approach the levels recorded six years ago by Saturday (December 12). This would entail a rise of 450mm above current levels in the Athlone area.

According to a statement issued by the council this afternoon: “While this increase in river levels will impact severely on a number of areas, the effects are localised and there is no impact on the town at large. All transport links, streets, car parks and commercial areas are operating normally and will continue to do so.”

Westmeath County Council has activated its Flood Emergency Response Plan and a meeting of the interagency Response Committee is held each day at 11am.

At today’s meeting, the forecast levels were considered and an assessment of available resources was carried out. It was decided that additional assistance will be required; a request for assistance will be issued to the Defence Forces and Civil Defence volunteers will be deployed to the affected areas.

According to the council, it was agreed that the priorities would be to help people to protect their homes, to provide transport and to provide alternative accommodation, if required.

The public is advised to be aware of the current risks associated with the River Shannon and to take whatever precautions possible. More detailed advice is available on the council’s website at www.westmeathcoco.ie.

*** See our full coverage of the flooding in tomorrow’s edition of the Westmeath Independent.