Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

The flow of water from Parteen Weir is dropping to 405 cubic metres per second today.

Latest: The National Emergency Co-ordination group says the country remains at risk for severe flooding.

Met Éireann last night issued a yellow rainfall warning for Cork and Kerry, saying rain was expected today and overnight, but should turn more showery during Saturday morning.

Flood-hit areas are facing more misery with further heavy rain due at least into the middle of next week, followed by another round of rising river levels and many more weeks of cleaning up ahead.

Geraldine Quinlivan broke down in tears as her dogs Lucky and Sandy were brought to her car on dry land, and away from their home surrounded by floodwater.

Storm Frank will be in full flow today and tomorrow as forecasters warn that the rest of the week will be a washout with storms, severe flooding and high winds expected.

Water levels on the River Shannon are continuing to rise with heavy rain battering much of the country.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime

The clean-up costs for the floods will run into millions of euro, a minister has said, as he warned of further possible flooding. Rising waters are set to peak today.

A 365m stretch of the Shannon running by Limerick city centre between Sarsfield Bridge and Thomond Bridge will be critical to how flooding develops or abates over coming days in the lower Shannon between the city and Parteen Weir, 13km up river.

Parts of east Clare on the lower Shannon were preparing for the threat of flooding yesterday afternoon.

Clare County Council has said that the ESB plans a "significant release" of waters from Parteen Weir.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Irish Water’s plan to extract water from the lower reaches of the Shannon to meet the needs of the greater Dublin area is not a straightforward matter of pipes and pumps, according to Pat Aherne.

Limerick City Council Crisis Management Team has been advised by the ESB that they have reduced the level of water release at Parteen Weir again today by a further 6%.

THE Irish Red Cross has raised over €300,000 for its flood relief operations.

Flood waters in the midwest are beginning to recede this morning.

IT was the turn of Kildare and Dublin to deal with the deluge yesterday as flood warnings were issued in both counties.

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith today witnessed first hand the devastating impact of the recent floods on farmers in Co Galway.

THERE is “no end in sight” to the country’s devastating flood problems with high tides expected on top of more rainfall next week, the Government’s emergency response group warned last night.

IN light of the recent and ongoing flooding downstream of Parteen weir in Co Clare, is it unreasonable to suggest the ESB be added to the list of statutory consultants to be notified by planning authorities on receipt of a planning application.

Insurance companies are being warned not to use the Government's humanitarian fund to avoid paying out compensation to flood victims.

THE worsening flood situation in the environs of Limerick city upstream to Parteen Weir will not hit critical levels for another five days, it has emerged.

Flood waters are continuing to rise along the banks of the River Shannon in the Mid-West.

The Taoiseach Brian Cowen has been heckled by a small group of residents in Athlone on a tour of flood-hit areas in the Midlands.

The ESB has confirmed it is to release more water from Parteen Weir.

The Taoiseach Brian Cowen will see for himself today the devastation caused by flooding in the midlands as the ESB decides on whether to release more water at Parteen Weir.

The Taoiseach Brian Cowen is to visit flood-hit areas in Westmeath and County Offaly today to meet with officials and the victims of flooding.

PEOPLE living in flood- risk areas in Co Limerick below Parteen Weir were yesterday warned to prepare to evacuate at short notice as more water had to be released through Ardnacrusha ESB power station due to record high levels on Lough Derg.