Farmers help Irish Red Cross combat flood waters

Farmers around the country are joining forces with the Irish Red Cross in manning pumps to divert flood waters.

Hundreds of acres of farm land are under-water this morning - after over a week of heavy rainfall and worsening conditions.

Orange weather warnings remain in place with up to 50 millimetres of rain expected to fall today.

A status yellow warning applies to the rest of Munster and for most of Connacht and Leinster.

River levels are expected to peak in the lower Shannon on Sunday and Monday.

The worst affected areas are expected to be in counties Clare, Cork and Kerry.

Tom Turley Chairman of the IFA Flood Project team has said his members are under particular pressure: “The flood waters particularly around Athlone are rising and indeed south of Ardnacrusha, the same thing is happening.

“Its literally in the lap of the Gods at the moment, it is distressing to say the least, but farmers are resilient and there is a huge huge community spirit around this at the moment.

“People are doing what they can to help one another out.”

Meanwhile, an emergency helpline to deal with requests for assistance from members of the public in Clare opens this morning.

It is being operated by the County Council in response to the ongoing threat of flooding and further heavy rainfall this weekend.

People can contact the service on 1890 252 943 from 7am this morning.