Residents warned to be ready to evacuate

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.

The ESB will have to continue releasing water through Parteen Weir, with more rain forecast, worsening the unprecedented floods in the Shannon network from Lough Allen to Lough Derg.

The release of water yesterday from Parteen Weir led to flood levels rising by a further three inches in vulnerable areas including the Limerick suburb of Shannon Banks.