Lower River Shannon And County Clare Flooding Update

Flood response efforts continue across County Clare with local authority staff, Clare County Fire and Rescue, the ESB, the Army, the HSE, Gardai and Civil Defence providing 24-hour response to the flooding crisis on the ground.

The Inter Agency Response Team consisting of the above agencies remain concerned about the flood situation throughout the county. There has been further heavy rainfall this morning and more rain is forecast before mid week. The Emergency Response including the Help Line 1890-252-943 will continue on a 24hr basis until further notice. Information is also available on the Clare County Council Website www.clarecoco.ie

Areas of South East Clare, particularly those located along the lower River Shannon, are priority areas and are the focus of ongoing attention. The army, assisted by the Fire Services, Civil Defence and local authority staff have already delivered in excess of 4,000 sandbags to the affected areas.

Arrangements are in hand to evacuate a small number of affected families in the Hampstead Park, Shannon Banks area and accommodation will be arranged where necessary for those people. We have been informed by the ESB that exceptional flooding exists along the River Shannon – the highest on record and this requires the ESB to increase the amount of water that must be released at Parteen Weir. The discharge levels have been growing in recent days but the release of higher volumes of water downstream was unavoidable today. Localised downstream areas have experienced higher flood levels are a result. The Agencies are continuing to monitor the position.

People evacuated in the Ennis Area over the past few days remain in their temporary hotel accommodation and the position about their returning to their homes is being assessed at present time.

Advice will be issued tomorrow regarding the re-opening of schools in Ennis Town, having regard to the situation at that time.

In Ennis, Council Engineers continue to monitor flood levels. The Gort Road remains closed at the Industrial Estate until further notice. Flooding on the actual Industrial Estate has abated and employees there have been able to access their work place. Services to alleviate flooding in this area are continuing. Travel and access restrictions around Ennis Town have been eased. However the co-operation of the public is requested to observe the restrictions that are in place. Liaison is ongoing with the Chamber of Commerce in Ennis.

In excess of 20,000 sandbags have been deployed at various locations throughout Ennis since last Thursday and sandbags continue to be available by ringing the Helpline. The Council appreciates the numerous offers of voluntary assistance it has received and is appealing to local clubs to provide support when requested to do so.

The Council wishes to advise that there has been no deterioration in the quality of the Ennis Public Water Supply and the quality of water is being tested on an on-going basis.

The Council also wishes to remind people to avoid contact with flood waters and to check on any elderly and infirm neighbours. Parents are asked to be particularly vigilant with children.

Information on road closures is constantly being updated on the Council website and through local radio.

Evacuation Advice From Limerick County Council

Limerick County Council has advised customers living close to flood prone areas along the Lower River Shannon to familiarise themselves with evacuation procedures, as outlined on www.flooding.ie.

The Local Authority has warned of further flooding along the lower River Shannon owing to increasing levels of water in the Shannon system. It said unprecedented rainfall levels and resultant record flooding along the River Shannon necessitated an increase in the amount of water that had to be released at Parteen Weir by the ESB. The discharge levels at the ESB weir had been growing in recent days and resulted in the unavoidable release of higher volumes of water downstream this afternoon.

Limerick County Council is advising customers from Montpelier downstream to Limerick City to familiarise themselves with a number of actions, as outlined on www.flooding.ie. The actions that can be undertaken immediately prior to a flood to reduce damages and protect you and your family include:

Advance Preparations:
• Be prepared to evacuate your home or business. Protect yourself, your family and others that need your help.
• Have warm clothing and wellingtons ready.
• Have medication to hand (if needed).
• Put sandbags at any openings where the water could gain access.
• Move your car to high ground if possible.
• Have your mobile phone charged
• Listen to all public alerts issued by the Local Authority or emergency services

Actions to take if being evacuated:
• Turn off gas and electricity.
• Disconnect cookers, washing machines, dishwashers, etc., connected by rigid pipes to prevent damaging the machine and the pipes.
• Store any electrical items upstairs or above flood level.
• Co-operate with emergency services and local authorities. You may be evacuated to emergency centres.
Close off the flow valves on propane tanks, oil drums, or other fuel containers that supply your home through pipes and fittings.
• Move valuables and other items to safety. Place them above the flood level or upstairs. (It may be preferable to routinely store such items safely upstairs or on high shelves).
• Roll up carpets and rugs and place them out of harms way.
• Empty furniture that cannot be moved and put the contents upstairs.
• Raise furniture that cannot be moved elsewhere on bricks or blocks. Move these pieces away from walls to assist the drying later. If pieces are too difficult to lift weigh them down with a heavy object to prevent them floating and causing damage to windows, etc.
• Remove curtains if there is time, if not tie them over the curtain rail.
• Remove cabinet doors and internal doors if time allows, if not leave them open.
• Unplug any exterior electrical connections such as outdoor lighting, pond pumps and filters.

Atlantis Group To Create 46 Full-Time Jobs In Clare

The Atlantis Group confirmed today that An Bord Pleanala has upheld a Clare County Council decision to grant planning permission for the development of “park-and-ride" facilities to the Cliffs of Moher.

The developer, which has a strong presence in the West of Ireland Hospitality and Tourism sector, says the project will generate 20 full-time positions when up and running, with a further 20 jobs being created during the construction phase. Work on the development is expected to commence in early 2010 and be completed by next autumn.

The proposed development consists of "park-and-ride" bus services from Liscannor and Coogyulla, Doolin to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience.

According to Atlantic Group Director John D. Flanagan: “We envisage that services will run in conjunction with the operating hours and procedures of the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, with the capacity to handle some of the hundreds of people that visit one of Ireland’s premier tourist attractions daily.”

Mr. Flanagan said the development would bring significant benefits to the local economy. He explained: “Visitor attractions throughout North Clare have noted a considerable fall off on tourist numbers in the past 12 months which has had considerable implications for business throughout the region. The Atlantis Group believes that by working in tandem with the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience, we can strike a counterbalance that further enhances the Cliffs of Moher’s position as a leading tourist attraction while increasing the tourist spend elsewhere, thus helping to revitalise rural communities across north Clare”.

Meanwhile, The Atlantis Group has announced the creation of an additional four full-time jobs, with the scheduled opening of a new pub in the North Clare village of Doolin. The traditional Irish music pub is expected to be opened in advance of the Miko Russel Weekend festival in February 2010.

The Atlantis Group is also scheduled to reopen the famous Ballykilty Manor, near Quin in County Clare, in mid to late 2010. Ballykilty Manor Hotel will be the sixth hotel to be developed by the Group as it continues to strengthen its portfolio in the hotel sector. The company said today that the 5-star development would create 15 jobs during construction and a further 22 full-time and part-time positions when it opens.

Since 2006, the holiday and accommodation body has opened the newly refurbished Peacockes Hotel in Maam Cross, County Galway; Tír Gan Éan House Hotel and Holiday Complex in Doolin, County Clare; the Smerwick Harbour Hotel, near Dingle, County Kerry; the Burren Coast Hotel and Holiday Lodges in Ballyvaughan, County Clare; and the Cliffs of Moher Hotel in Liscannor, County Clare. The new hotels have generated in excess of 235 jobs. The Group is also promoting the famed Joseph McHugh's pub in Liscannor and the AA 5-star Ballyvara House in Doolin.