Communities in fear ahead of worse floods after Storm Desmond

Towns hit by Storm Desmond could be flooded for a second time in a week, while areas which have escaped face flooding in the coming days.

The worst floods along the River Shannon, the Midlands and the south-west, are yet to come as water levels rise the National Co-ordination Group has warned.

Last night, the Shannon burst its banks in Athlone, Co Westmeath, and it is expected up to 100 homes in the area, many of which were flooded in November 2009, could be engulfed by Monday.