Athlone fearful things will worsen next week

Westmeath County Council has placed two families in alternative accommodation as flooding continues to threaten parts of Athlone town.

While the families’ homes on the west side of town were not flooded, both houses suffered flooding in 2009, and the families asked to be moved because they found the situation too stressful.

Flood defence measures prevented flooding from occurring despite rising water levels in Athlone, Co Westmeath on Wednesday night. It’s estimated that 90 houses could flood in Athlone if water levels reach those last seen in November 2009.