2.50PM Flood Update From County Clare

The Clare Crisis Management Centre has received confirmation from the ESB that they will not be releasing any additional water from Parteen Weir this evening.

The army remain deployed in Ennis and South East Clare to assist agencies in the flooding response. The Coast Guard is on standby to assist with operations.

NORTH CLARE:
The County Clare Interagency Response Team, comprising Clare Local Authorities, Clare County Fire and Rescue, the ESB, the Army, the HSE and Gardai, is monitoring levels in the North Clare area. Three families have been evacuated in Carron (2) and Tubber (1) due to rising water levels.

SOUTH EAST CLARE
- Water levels at Shannon Banks have risen 4cm since 8.40am today
- A severe flood risk warning remains in place for Westbury, Shannon Banks, Clonlara and O’Briensbridge
- The Office of Public Works (OPW) is constructing a major flood defence from Athlunkard Bridge (Corbally Road) to Hampstead Park (Shannon Banks). All agencies are assisting the OPW
- It is estimated that 30,000 sandbags have been deployed in the South East Clare area.
- The Clare Crisis Management Centre has reported no evacuations in South East Clare today

ENNIS
- The Clare Crisis Management Centre, which is operating on the best hydrology advice, has reported a brief respite in conditions ahead of expected heavy rainfall in the area over the weekend. The brief period of respite will persist in Ennis over the next two days.
- Water levels in Ennis have dropped slightly this morning. A severe flood warning remains in place for all flood prone areas of the town and its environs due to predictions of further rainfall and the forecasted tidal conditions over the coming days
- Clare County Council has deployed 26 pumps in the Ennis Area and underground water is being displaced to create storage for future water volumes
- An estimated 30,000 sandbags and 1,000 one tonne sandbags have been deployed in the Ennis area.
- 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 County Clare Interagency Response Team is progressing the rehousing of families who were evacuated in the Ennis area as a result of flooding. The H.S.E. and Ennis Town Council have held a number of meetings with the families involved. One family has returned to their home and alternative accommodation has been identified for a further two families. Detailed inspections of 6 homes have been carried out, while inspections of a further 20 houses will take place in the coming days. Ennis Town Council and H.S.E. have also identified a number of private rented properties which may be suitable for the rehousing of the evacuated families.

Floodwaters have risen slightly overnight and this morning and are expected to rise further with the release of additional water from Parteen Weir.

ROADS UPDATE:
- The slip road at the bridge in O’Briensbridge has been closed.
- Rossmanagher Road, Sixmilebridge (L7112) has been closed
- The main bridge Sixmilebridge is open to pedestrians. Vehicular access is restricted to two-axle vehicles only. Diversions for other vehicles remain in place.

OTHER NEWS:
- The Clare Crisis Management Centre is preparing for the next period of heavy rainfall and high tides over the weekend and early next week. Contact has been made with Nowcastingweather and arrangements are being made to install a computer package with high resolution to enable an accurate weather forecast to be obtained and to allow the agencies to plan accordingly.
- Bridges throughout the county are being monitored on an ongoing basis by Council engineers.
- The Clare Crisis Management Centre has requested that the public, particularly motorists, who are not directly involved in the flood response to keep clear of flooded areas. The Emergency Response including the Help Line 1890-252-943 will continue on a 24-hr basis until further notice. Information is also available on the Clare County Council Website www.clarecoco.ie and www.aaroadwatch.ie
- The Interagency Response Team have advised school authorities that students remain within the school during school hours. In particular, students are required to remain there at lunchtime. Parents should contact school authorities directly to verify arrangements.
- Members of the public are reminded to avoid contact with floodwaters and to check on any elderly or infirm neighbours. Parents are asked to be particularly vigilant with children.
- Significant offers of assistance are being received in the Clare Crisis Management Centre from the public e.g. accommodation, labour, vehicles, materials, clothes, toys, bedding. All such offers are very much appreciated.

County Clare Flooding Update

The Clare Crisis Management Centre has received confirmation from the ESB this morning that additional water is being released at the Parteen weir and flood levels will increase as a result. The impact of this will be assessed in order to manage the situation.

The Clare Crisis Management Centre is preparing for the next period of heavy rainfall and high tides over the weekend and early next week. Contact has been made with Nowcastingweather and arrangements are being made to install a computer package with high resolution to enable an accurate weather forecast to be obtained and to allow the agencies to plan accordingly.

The next meeting of the Interagency Response Team is scheduled to take place at 11.00 am today. The meeting will be attended by Clare Local Authorities, Clare County Fire and Rescue, the ESB, the Army, the HSE and Gardai.

SOUTH EAST CLARE
Floodwaters have risen slightly overnight and this morning and are expected to rise further with the release of additional water from Parteen Weir. A severe flood risk warning remains in place for Westbury, Shannon Banks, Clonlara and O’Briensbridge.

The army remain deployed in Ennis and South East Clare to assist agencies in the flooding response. The Coast Guard is on standby to assist with operations.

AROUND CLARE
- The situation in elsewhere in County Clare continues to be closely monitored.
- Bridges throughout the county are being monitored on an ongoing basis by Council engineers.
- Water is being pumped by the Fire Service at various locations in Ennis and East Clare.
- Members of the public are reminded to avoid contact with floodwaters and to check on any elderly or infirm neighbours. Parents are asked to be particularly vigilant with children.
- The Clare Crisis Management Centre has requested that the public, particularly motorists, who are not directly involved in the flood response to keep clear of flooded areas. The Emergency Response including the Help Line 1890-252-943 will continue on a 24-hr basis until further notice. Information is also available on the Clare County Council Website www.clarecoco.ie and www.aaroadwatch.ie

ENNIS
- The Clare Crisis Management Centre, which is operating on the best hydrology advice, has reported a brief respite in conditions ahead of expected heavy rainfall in the area over the weekend. The brief period of respite will persist in Ennis over the next two days.
- Water levels in Ennis have dropped slightly overnight.
- 26 water pumps have been deployed throughout the town.
- 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.

Interagency Team Reports Progress On Rehousing Of Evacuated Ennis Families

The County Clare Interagency Response Team, comprising Clare Local Authorities, Clare County Fire and Rescue, ESB, HSE, the Army and Gardai, this evening announced it was progressing the rehousing of families who were evacuated in the Ennis area as a result of flooding.

The H.S.E. and Ennis Town Council have held a number of meetings with the families involved. One family has returned to their home and alternative accommodation has been identified for a further two families. Detailed inspections of 6 homes have been carried out, while inspections of a further 20 houses will take place in the coming days.

Ennis Town Council and H.S.E. have also identified a number of private rented properties which may be suitable for the rehousing of the evacuated families.

A HSE spokesperson stated: "The H.S.E. has been working very closely with Ennis Town Council to ensure that families get back to their homes as soon as possible and that this dramatic event for the families involved is brought to a successful conclusion."

Eddie Power, Town Clerk, Ennis Town Council added: "The Council empathises with the families on the hardship and inconvenience that they have suffered and continues to work with the other agencies to restore normality as soon as possible."

The National Emergency Response Group has allocated funding for people displaced as a result of flooding. A sub-group has been set up and will meet today to progress a plan of action. Staff from the H.S.E. will be in attendance at this meeting.

THUR 11.15am - Flooding Update From County Limerick

Limerick County Council has confirmed that floodwaters along the Lower River Shannon are expected to rise by an additional three inches or more over the coming hours.

The Council said that record flooding along the River Shannon had again necessitated an increase in the amount of water being released at Parteen Weir by the ESB this morning. Communities in flood prone areas along the Lower River Shannon, particularly Montpelier and Castleconnell, have been issued with a severe flood warning. Council engineers are monitoring the situation.

According to Donal Brennan, Senior Engineer, Limerick County Council, ‘The unavoidable release of higher volumes of water downstream this morning is expected to lead to a significant rise in flood waters in areas already affected by flooding in recent days. We would advise customers in flood prone areas from Montpelier downstream to Limerick City to familiarise themselves with evacuation procedures, as outlined on www.flooding.ie, and health advice, as outlined on www.hse.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.