More rain could lead to an increased release of water from Parteen Weir, thereby posing a heightened flood risk for properties in Clare and Limerick, according to the ESB.
Contingency plans are being put in place as expected bouts of heavy rain in western areas over the coming days look set to further top up water levels on Lough Derg, a situation that may have adverse consequences for towns and villages in the lower Shannon catchment area.
Yesterday's meeting of the National Coordination Group on Recent Severe Weather identified the areas of Springfield, Montpelier, Castleconnell, Mountshannon and the University of Limerick as being particularly susceptible to flooding over the next few days, and the Office of Public Works (OPW) has confirmed that gauges on all parts of the main Shannon river have registered increased water levels.
Indeed, certain parts of the river saw rises of six inches in just 48 hours up to Thursday lunchtime, and this will continue to increase until next Monday or Tuesday.
Following a brief midweek reprieve, Met Éireann announced the likelihood of further weather warnings on Saturday, with Evelyn Cusack predicting "at the very least a status yellow, perhaps orange" level alert for rainfall in the west of the country.
This could lead to accumulations of up to 8cm of rain in affected areas, she said. "Our current models predict about 50mm, perhaps 80mm, of rain, impossible to predict where exactly, but we're talking about parts of Munster, Connacht, perhaps into parts of Donegal as well."
John Barry, of the Department of the Environment, confirmed that, following the Shannon breaching its banks on Wednesday night, about 90 properties in Athlone were at risk of being inundated, and he expressed concern about the contamination caused by overflowing sewage.
Contamination
However, he indicated that little could be done to prevent such contamination for the time being, saying that “when waters are out of control and they burst riverbanks as they have currently in places, it’s a question of waiting for waters to recede and a clean-up operation after that”.
Elsewhere, State agencies said they had “no definite estimation of what will happen in Cork” given the expectations for further inclement weather, but the situation would be monitored following last week’s floods in Bandon and on parts of the river Lee.
Comdt Tom McGuinness of the Defence Forces confirmed that six units had been deployed to help flood relief efforts in areas between Sligo and Cork as the clean-up continues in towns such as Ballinasloe and Athleague.
Water levels are falling on the Shannon's tributary rivers, according to Jim Casey of the OPW, but members of the group warned against complacency amid the prospect of further weather-related difficulties over the coming days.
Members of the public are advised to avoid walking along unsafe riverbanks, and should regularly consult local authorities and local media outlets for updates on flooding and road closures.
The National Coordination Group will continue regular meetings until the situation regarding extreme weather and flooding becomes more manageable.