Businesses fear impact of rising river levels

Authorities and businesses in Cork are bracing themselves for flooding tomorrow with river water rising, a high tide and more rain expected.

Limerick city is also under threat of flooding as are communities along the Shannon are also at risk. Hundreds of people in Athlone, Co Westmeath, face evacuation from their homes in the coming days with around 90 homes at risk.

Clare County Council last night issued a severe flood warning for the entire county ahead of predicted rains over the weekend. A boil-water notice remains in place in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, while the Defence Forces are assisting in six areas from Sligo right down to Limerick.

In Claregalway, Co Galway, members of the Defence Forces have been transporting people who have been left stranded by flooding to schools and medical centres. Members are on duty in Ballinasloe around the clock while in other areas Defence Forces are filling sandbags.

Evelyn Cusack of Met Eireann said heavy rain will fall again today and tomorrow with up to 80mm due in parts of Connaught, Munster and up Co to Donegal.

Met Éireann is expected to put out another weather warning today after a brief reprieve in the rain yesterday. Ms Cusack said “at the very least a status yellow or perhaps an orange warning” will be put out today.

“For next week we will continue to have mixed weather, there is no sign of any dry weather,” she said.

Jim Casey of the OPW said that the River Shannon had increased by 15cm in the previous 48 hours and is expected to rise further in the coming days with the waters not reaching a peak until early next week.

Announcing details of a €5m scheme for small businesses hit by flooding, Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney last night warned that Cork faces floods tomorrow.

He said: “If you look at Cork city, they are at risk potentially of being flooded on Saturday or Sunday, there is a huge job of preparation going on in Cork City led by City Hall but also working with business associations and the Chamber of Commerce.

John Barry of the Department of Environment, who chaired a meeting of the National Co-ordination Group said that around 90 families look set to be evacuated from their homes in the Athlone area.

He said: “In the downstream area the numbers are smaller, but that is not of any comfort to the individual householders who are affected, their home is their home, but these are the sorts of numbers we are dealing with currently.

“Currently the situation in Cork City is one that is being monitored, the ESB is in touch on a regular basis with the local authorities in Cork, the tide situation is being monitored as well as the forecasted rain fall over the weekend.

Mr Barry added: “This situation has been ongoing now for a number of days and one of the things we want to re-emphasise at this points is the public safety aspect in affected areas.”

He asked the public to remain vigilant.