Floods: Calls for lead authority to manage River Shannon

As residents battled floodwaters for a second week, Fine Gael TD Gabrielle McFadden said she wants a single lead authority for the River Shannon.

Water levels in Athlone rose by 30mm overnight on Sunday and have now almost reached peak levels as forecast by the ESB for Athlone last week.

Ms McFadden, who is based in Athlone, brought Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton on a tour of some of the flood defences yesterday. She said the River Shannon would be better managed by one authority, adding that “too many cooks spoil the broth”.

She said she will raise the matter with the Taoiseach “the first opportunity I get”.

She praised local business owners who are donating food and assisting those fighting the floods.

Aerial footage shows extent of floods in Cork, 'above normal' levels of rain forecast this… https://t.co/V4em5FMKPq pic.twitter.com/pXa12GQTOp

— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) December 14, 2015

“It is devastating, but I have to stress it is localised — we are open for business and the streets, shops, restaurants, and hotels are not affected,” she said.

Flood defences have been reinforced throughout the town — on the east side at the Strand and Wolfe Tone Terrace where shelters have been erected for some pumps and workers and on the west side too, in areas such as Deerpark Rd and at The Park estate.

Residents of The Park had something to watch while defending the area, as a playful otter has taken up residence and is fishing just metres from flood defences. Nearby, new pumps are now in place at the Canal Walk estate.

Independent Alliance councillor Kevin Boxer Moran believes the town’s defences can hold out “if we stick together”.

Meanwhile, Westmeath County Council said the number of homes flooded in Athlone remained at three. The council said there is no issue with drinking water.

Clean-up of floods will cost millions of euro says minister https://t.co/r7FHZ2DtM8 via @Junomaco (DOD) pic.twitter.com/1ri7OOZ8f0

— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) December 14, 2015

Westmeath County Council director of services Barry Kehoe said he was “awaiting an ESB forecast for the next five days but hopefully it won’t change much from what we got last week”.

He explained the levels are almost “at forecast high level at this point”.

Elsewhere, water levels on the River Shannon rose again in the past 24 hours in Co Offaly.

Levels in Shannonbridge were up 12mm, while in Banagher there was a 15mm rise.

Sandbags have been deployed at the Portavolla estate in Banagher and in Shannon Harbour village where two houses have flooded. Flooding on Main Street in Shannonbridge is being monitored and a pump is in place. Sandbags have been made available.

Limerick and Athlone brace for more floods https://t.co/uVD4K1dx4M pic.twitter.com/qMKNS9sQOw

— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) December 14, 2015

The flooding is being closely monitored by Offaly County Council and the Civil Defence are on standby. A number of roads in affected areas have been closed.